Marblehead girl reports being offered ride by unknown man

MARBLEHEAD – School parents and police were on alert Thursday after a 9-year-old girl said she was offered a ride by a man driving an SUV in the vicinity of Jane and Mohawk roads.
Acting Superintendent of Schools and Marblehead Village School Principal Michael Hanna described the girl as an elementary school student and said she was on her way to a friend?s house to get a ride to school this morning when the SUV pulled up alongside her on the street and the driver asked her if she wanted a ride.
?The girl said she refused,” Hanna said.
Police Chief Robert Picariello said the driver raised his voice and the girl ran to the friend?s house. He said the friend?s mother drove the girl to get her father, and then the incident was reported to police.
Picariello said the incident happened about 7:30 a.m. but “There was a delay of 10-15 minutes before we got the report.”
The girl described the SUV as tan or gold and “high enough that she would have to step up to get in,” the chief said.
Hanna, who is carrying out the duties of Superintendent Paul Dulac until Monday while Dulac undergoes medical treatment, said the student appeared “fine and that she was in school for the full day.
Hanna said, “Police are looking into the report. They checked with the student?s family and talked with the student. They are investigating this, following up on it and giving it due process.
?Police will continue to keep the superintendent’s office informed.”
Picariello said he planned to increase police patrols and take other measures in school neighborhoods when school let out Thursday. “We will be vigilant about this,” he said.
Shortly after9 a.m.in an e-mail to parents Hanna wrote, “I will provide any further relevant information to families as it becomes available. In the meantime, students and families are asked to review walking and riding safety procedures.”