PEABODY — Police and the Center Elementary School have issued a warning about an attempted abduction.
In a letter that went home to parents on Wednesday, officials said they are investigating an incident near the school on Irving Street.
A grandmother called police to say her grandson, a student at the school, was approached by a “light brown” man in his late 20s or early 30s driving a blue Honda sedan after dismissal on Tuesday at 2:50 p.m. and ordered him to “get into the vehicle,” according to a Peabody Public Schools incident report.
Upon hearing the command, the boy ran back to the school, the grandmother told police.
Also in the car, the boy told his grandmother, was a white female passenger in her late 20s or early 30s, with short, dark hair.
“The incident, if proven true, may jeopardize Peabody school children and is being brought to your attention so that you can take precautions that you deem necessary,” the letter said. “Please notify friends and neighbors…if you have or discover any information which may aid in this investigation, please notify the Peabody Police Department at 978-531-1212.”
Jacqueline Orphanos, principal of the Center School, did not return a call seeking comment.
Capt. Scott Wlasuk said they have increased police presence in the area and have contacted other police departments to see if they have had any reports of similar incidents.
“So far, we haven’t heard of any,” he said. “But we are continuing our investigation.”
