Man Tries to Lure Teenagers into His Minivan

MORENO VALLEY - The same man is suspected of attempting to lure high school girls into his minivan at separate locations in Moreno Valley today.

The victims reported that they were approached between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the first teenager was accosted at Cottonwood Avenue and Rockcrest Drive.

The girl said a heavyset black man in his early 40s got out of a white minivan and asked her to spend some time with him, said sheriff's Sgt. Larry Gyll.

''The female student continually refused, and the subject grabbed the female student by the arm and pulled her toward him,'' Gyll said. ''The female told the subject to let her go or she would call the police. She then pulled away from the subject and fled the area.''

A man fitting the same description and driving the same type of vehicle approached another teen at Eucalyptus Avenue and Heacock Street. The victim told deputies that the suspect ''tried to talk (her) into getting into the van with him,'' Gyll said.

The girl refused and told the man to leave or she would call 911, prompting the suspect to drive away, according to the sergeant.

The suspect was unshaven, with short dark hair, wearing eyeglasses, a gray shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on the suspect was asked to call the sheriff's Moreno Valley Station at (951) 486-6700.