Potential Kidnapping Attempt Foiled in Paso Robles

A potential kidnapping attempt is foiled, in Paso Robles. The tip came in claiming a man was planning to take a young boy before Christmas. Police as well as the schools are beefing up security.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. “It’s terrifying,” said Casey Parker. Parker is a mother of two and lives next to Paso Robles high school. “It’s scary to think that now you have to be extra careful,” said Parker.

This all started when a tipster called the Paso Robles School District warning of a potential predator that had been scouting out schools in the area. His next call was to police. “He left very little information for us and cut the conversation short,” said Chief Robert Burton of the Paso Robles Police Department.

However Paso Robles police worked with law enforcement outside the area to track down the tipster for a full story. Police now have a name and face. “We’ve located that person we are in the process of talking with that person to find out what was said about him and what his plans were, were actually true or not,” said Chief Burton.

Police say the man is not a registered sex offender and does not have a criminal past. He hasn’t been identified but police have released a description. The man is in his 60’s, is about 5’11 and 220 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. He also drives a white Ford pick up truck with a camper shell.

“Every car that drives by you want to look and you try absorb as much as you can when they give you a description like a white truck,” said Parker. “You’re scrutinizing it and thinking to yourself if something happens you want to absorb that memory in your mind.”

Authorities are encouraging anyone who has information– to give them a call.

Crime Stoppers: (805) 549-STOP (549-7867)