Police Arrest Driver Accused of Approaching Schoolchildren In Alameda

ALAMEDA, CA — A person suspected of trying to talk to children walking to and from school in Alameda throughout October was arrested on Wednesday, police said.

The suspect was first seen in a car earlier this month trying to talk to several "school-aged" children, the Alameda Police Department said.

Investigators weren't sure who the person was or why they wanted to talk to the children, but police said the behavior "raised concerns."

"Upon learning of these incidents, APD officers immediately began investigating each report," police said in a statement on Wednesday. "Officers also increased patrols along frequently used student routes as a precautionary measure."

More information about who the person could be came to fruition when investigators found a neighbor's residential camera captured one occasion in which the suspect approached children, authorities said.

"Although the footage did not reveal a license plate, it provided a vehicle description and unique characteristics," police said.

But it was enough for investigators to eventually get the vehicle's license plate suspect vehicle using Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, police said.

On Wednesday, as students were about to be let out of school, an Alameda detective checked to see whether that technology captured the suspect vehicle being driven into the city, police said.

It had, prompting a "be on the lookout" advisory over the radio to all patrol units, police said.

Within 19 seconds of that broadcast, an officer located the suspect vehicle and its driver near Wilma Chan Way and Marina Village Parkway, police said.

The suspect, who police did not identify, was taken into custody in connection with the incidents.

Authorities did not specify what crimes they're accused of committing, but said the case was referred to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which will weigh whether there is enough evidence to file charges.

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