Police: Be Suspicious of Adult Male Approaching Children

Stow Police issued a press release Thursday afternoon to warn parents about some suspicious activity recently when a man has approached a young child in the last two months. 

First Incident on Bryn Athen Drive

Police said the first incident happened on March 17 at 7 p.m. when an adult male stopped and asked an 8-year-old girl and her friends if they had seen his lost puppy on Bryn Athen Drive. 

The man drove away when one of the girls asked for the man's phone number. The man did not get out of his car, described as a blue Honda civic with a "fin" on the back, and did not attempt to lure children into his car, according to police. 

The man was described as middle-aged with a goattee and straight thick black hair. He was also wearing gloves on a warm day, said police. 

Second Incident at SKIP Playground

Police said the second incident happened on April 9 at SKIP playground. A woman told officers that she was there with several children and saw an older man playing basketball with the kids. 

The woman told police that one of the children, a 10-year-old boy, began to walk away from the courts with the man until she called out to him. The boy turned around and came back to the group and the man left, according to police. 

The man was described as tall, heavy-set, about 50- to 60-years-old, with a thick white mustache, balding with some gray hair. He was seen wearing a royal blue sweatshirt. 

Police said it has not been established if it was the same male in both incidents. 

If anyone has information relevant to either of these two incidents, please call the on the Detective Bureau Administrative line at 330-689-5730. 

Officers asked that if anyone had a similar incident occur to contact the Stow Police Department at 330-689-5700 as soon as possible.

"This is being disseminated not to alarm residents but to serve as a reminder to parents and those who have children in their care to talk with children about their personal safety and review with them what to do when approached or when they see something suspicious," the press release stated.