By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Police are looking into what they are calling a “suspicious vehicle” incident after a group of three students reported a pair of men in a car offered them candy as they walked down Kory Road on Friday afternoon.
Sgt. James Ryan said the students were passed by a silver or blue, four-door vehicle as they walked on the road at around 3:15 Friday afternoon.
One of the two occupants of the vehicle allegedly asked the students if they wanted “candy” as the vehicle passed by them, according to Sgt. Ryan.
Police did not give the age range or grade levels of the students, but Sgt. Ryan did say the genders of the group were mixed and another group of around a dozen students was walking near the group of three at the time of the incident.
The motorist and the passenger, described as both being in their 20s, with one of white complexion and the other with an olive complexion, had no other interaction with the group except for the comment, Sgt. Ryan said.
Sgt. Ryan said the students immediately reported the incident.
Police canvassed the area Friday but were not able to locate the vehicle or additional witnesses, according to Sgt. Ryan.
”In this case, it is unknown exactly what the motives may have been for the people in the car, but what was important is that the children reported the incident immediately,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in a press release Monday morning. “We are going to add extra patrols in the area while we investigate the matter.”
Additionally, Chief Hayducka is reminding parents of children walking to school to observe some basic safety tips.
• Develop a buddy system for children walking to and from school.
Students should never walk alone. Always walk in groups with at least two or three other students.
• Students should report anyone suspicious to school personnel or the police immediately.
• Be sure your children know their home phone number and address, your work and pager numbers and the number of another trusted adult.
Put a card with this information in their backpack and/or shoe. Make sure each child has change for a phone call or carries a telephone calling card.
• If you work late, have your children call you as soon as they arrive at home after school.

