Richland County deputies are warning residents of Richland School District Two of possible solicitation of minors in the area.
In a tweet Wednesday, afternoon, the department said it is investigating reports of suspects soliciting minors in the area, and they warned students and parents to be extra vigilant.
Deputies say an older black male exposed himself to a juvenile female at 4 p.m. January 18 after asking her to come to his car and help him with his phone in the parking lot at 2230 Decker Boulevard.
The suspect is believed to be driving a white 4-door Subaru or station wagon-type vehicle.
In another incident, a juvenile male was reportedly solicited for a sex act by the suspect in the parking lot of Ridge View High School on January 21 at 4:20 p.m. However the Richland School district tells News19, the alleged incident did not happen on school property, instead it happened on Hardscrabble Road in a parking lot near the Reserve at Lake Carolina Apartment complex and the Food Lion
The suspect was possibly wearing a long wig or weave and driving a white 4-door Chevy SUV, according to officials.
Richland School District Two says a suspicious person attempted to talk with students during their school commute in a safety advisory to parents:
This week, law enforcement and a school administrator received reports of a suspicious person around neighborhoods in Lake Carolina and The Summit. According to some reports, the person attempted to make contact with students as they walked to or from school or their bus stops.
We have not received reports of any harm coming to our students. School administrators are working with School Resource Officers and others from the Richland County Sheriff's Department who are investigating the reports.
The advisory was issued district wide.
In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, the Richland County Sheriff's Department released this video from Special Victims Unit investigator Holly Tucker. In the video, Tucker describes the incidents in question and gives advice to students who may find themselves in a similar situation.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously in any of the following ways:
- Call 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
- Use the P3 Tips mobile app.
- LOG ON to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a Tip” tab.
Callers will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
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