A Festus High School student who was out running after school on Wednesday (Dec. 11) was approached by a suspicious man who allegedly told her to get into his vehicle, said Kevin Pope, a Festus R-6 School District spokesman.
The incident happened between 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. near Sunset Park, which is on Parkview Drive north of Festus City Hall, Festus Police Cpl. Bryan Agee said.
Agee said the student is on the cross country team. Pope said the student was running with other students, but it was not a team practice.
According to an email from Festus Superintendent Link Luttrell, the man drove past the student, then stopped and asked what she was doing. The student did not respond, and then the man told her to get into the car.
The student ran away and later reported the incident to school administrators and then filed a report with Festus Police, the email said.
Agee said the suspect is an older white male with salt-and-pepper-colored hair. He also had a beard, and the suspect was wearing a brown coat, plaid shirt and brown sunglasses. Agee said he was driving a blue, PT Cruiser with a white bumper sticker with black letters.
Agee said an investigation is underway and anyone with information should call Festus Police at 636-937-3636.