HOPKINTON — Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett announced that authorities are looking into an unsettling incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon at Hopkinton Common.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., the Hopkinton Police were alerted by a concerned mother reporting that her child was approached by two Hispanic women in a white vehicle, thought to be a Toyota RAV4.
The women allegedly offered the child a ride home.
Acting on lessons taught by the mother regarding stranger danger, the child did not engage with the women and quickly ran away to safety among friends.
The Hopkinton Police Department is taking the matter seriously and is currently seeking public assistance to gather any video footage or photographs from the area that may have captured the incident or the vehicle in question.
Chief Bennett took the opportunity to remind parents of the importance of educating their children about the dangers of interacting with strangers.
As recommended by kidshealth.org, children should be instructed to firmly decline offers from strangers, leave the area, and immediately report any such encounters to a trusted adult.
Anyone with relevant information about the incident is encouraged to reach out to Detective Sergeant Gregg DeBoer at 508-497-3401.
Authorities hope that community cooperation will help ensure the safety of local children and potentially identify the individuals involved in the incident.