KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Parents in Osceola County are on guard after recent reports of strangers trying to lure kids.

  • 2 recent incidents in Osceola involving strangers attempting to lure kids
  • Sheriff's Office says parents should teach kids how to react in those situations

A 16-year-old boy was walking home from Gateway High School on November 30 when a man approached him. The man initially asked for directions but later grabbed the boy’s arm and told him he was going to walk him home.

The boy pulled away and went inside of Melao Bakery to seek help.

Surveillance video shows the man in the parking lot, later talking to someone inside of a car.

On Monday, two boys, 12 and 13 years old, who were standing by a bike rack at BridgePrep Academy said they were approached by a black Toyota Camry with a woman and man inside. The woman allegedly told the kids that if they got closer, she would give them candy. The kids walked away.

“We can also tell our parents and our children to take this story, and sit down with their children, and realize there are people out there who are willing to approach our children who are strangers,” said Major Jacob Ruiz with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. “Not knowing their intent, they are willing to do harm to our children. So talk to them about this issue, about the dangers, and how to react when a stranger may approach them.”

The man who was walking and tried to grab the kid’s arm is a Hispanic male, about 45 years old, between 5-feet-7-inches and 5-feet-9-inchesm with short black hair.

Regarding the incident involving candy, the driver of the Toyota Camry is described as a white male, in his early twenties, wearing a white shirt. The passenger is a black woman in her early twenties with brown eyes and black hair.

Osceola County parent Gyselis Rosario hopes they’re all caught.

“I hope we all come together so we can help find these people,” Rosario said. “Businesses and schools should put their photos up, that way someone can recognize them and call authorities.”

If you have any information on these three people, contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222.