Portsmouth, Va. - Police increased patrols during school bus pick up and drop off times in the area of Spratley Street and Peninsula Avenue after an incident Tuesday morning.
Two female middle school students were waiting at a bus stop in the area at approximately 7:20 a.m. when they saw a gold 4-door vehicle with three light skinned men inside drive past them.
The vehicle circled back around and stopped near the bus stop.
According to the students, they were motioned by the occupants to get inside.
The students refused, and immediately went home and told an adult about the incident. The adult alerted the school administration and the school resource officer.
As a result, parents and students increased police presence in the area as students waited for the school bus in the morning and when students left the bus in the afternoon.
Detectives later found the vehicle and spoke to the men. They told detectives, in broken English, that they were trying to find a street.
They said they were doing some work on the street, but couldn't find it and that's why they motioned the girls to come over.
No charges have been filed at this point because the men did not get out of their car or try to harm the children.
Police told NewsChannel 3 that the men are not from this area.
Police ask that parents remind their children not to talk to strangers or to get into a vehicle with anyone they do not know or do not have permission to be with.
It is also important for parents to remind their children to tell an adult if anyone tries to lure them away from their home, school bus stop, park, or anywhere else that they may be. If you are made aware of a situation similar to this one, please notify the police department and the school immediately.
