SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Police Department is investigating an incident that allegedly took place at a school bus stop Wednesday morning.
According to an email sent by Shrewsbury Superintendent Joseph Sawyer to district parents and staff and posted to the district website, three Floral Street School students were approached at the Shrewsbury Commons bus stop by a man driving a black sedan.
The incident was reported to the school resource officer, who is working with the Shrewsbury School Department on the investigation.
The students reported the man told them he was an Uber driver and that their parents had requested he take them to school. According to Sawyer, the students refused to get into the vehicle and told the man they were taking the bus to school. At that time, the bus approached the stop and the man drove away.
Shrewsbury police describe the driver of the vehicle as a Hispanic male, in his late 30s to 40s.
According to Sawyer, Shrewsbury police will be increasing their presence in that area as they continue to investigate the incident.
“I wanted to make you aware of this situation directly and ask that families remind your children about your rules regarding safety and strangers and to report anything unusual to you or an adult at school immediately,” wrote Sawyer.
Anyone with information about the incident or who was in the area of the Shrewsbury Commons bus stop Wednesday morning around the time the bus was picking up children is asked to contact Shrewsbury Police Officer Shawn Valliere at 508-841-8435.
In his letter, Sawyer also included a link to the National Crime Prevention Council with tips regarding children and strangers (http://archive.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers.html).
Shrewsbury police encourage anyone who witnesses any suspicious vehicles or activity around bus stops or children, to call 911. They also encourage witnesses, if possible, to safely attempt to make note of license plate numbers, or vehicle make/models.
Update: This article has been updated with information from the Shrewsbury Police Department.
