HANOVER, Va. -- A Hanover community is on edge after a 10-year-old child was reportedly offered a ride by a middle-aged man Sunday.
It happened in the Kings Charter neighborhood in Mechanicsville.
"I'm obviously concerned," said resident Phillip Jacoby. "I actually had my daughter approached by somebody."
The father of three just learned that a 10-year-old girl was approached by a stranger in the same area and manner his daughter was a few years ago.
"A sheriff's deputy showed up at the door and asked if we'd seen anything suspicious," said resident John McGarva.
Investigators canvassed the Hanover neighborhood after a young girl was reportedly approached around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, by a stranger who pulled up next to her in a white van while she was walking home from a friend's house.
Her parents alerted the community that a white man between the age of 40 to 50 asked their daughter if she needed a ride. The young girl didn't respond and ran home.
"This young lady did exactly what we ask young people to do," said Major Mike Trice with the Hanover Sheriff's Office. "She said no, she declined a ride and immediately went to an area of safety and notified an adult -- and that's perfect."
Jacoby feels blessed that his daughter did the same but says this is a reminder that anything can happen and this community needs to continue to look out for each other.
"Everyone looks out for other kids, but something like that, all it takes is two seconds that somebody can not be looking and something bad happens," said Jacoby.
"Definitely it's a reminder to be vigilant," said McGarva.
If you have any information on this you are asked to call the Hanover County Sheriff's Office at 804-365-6110.
