LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- The search is on for a man who reportedly attempted to lure a juvenile from a school bus stop on Friday morning.
According to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, the incident happened near the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and Dovewood Court, two blocks west of Old 41 Road near the entrance to the Monterra community.
The juvenile victim told investigators that a Hispanic male pulled up to the bus stop, exited the car, and told the child to "get in the car."
"You can't even let your kids by for a minute; so yeah, I'm very disturbed by it I hope they find the guy," said one neighbor.
The suspect reached for the victim, but the juvenile was able to avoid the suspect and run home.
The male suspect is described as 30-40 years of age, short and skinny with short black spiked hair, wearing blue jeans and a gray or white t-shirt. The male was described as "dirty" as if he worked as a mechanic or in construction.
The car is described as an older bright orange convertible sports car with a block top, dark tinted windows and chrome wheels. The car may possibly be an older Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mazda RX-7, or Toyota Celica.
"I've been looking around for orange cars and I haven't seen any," said Mia Ravachieri.
As a new college student Ravachieri says, the incident reinforces the importance of being vigilant in regard to her safety.
"I was like no, no nothing's gonna happen but two buildings away it happened, almost," said Ravachieri.
Several residents suggested relocating the bus stop may help protect students.
"Maybe the school buses need a code, a special code to get in so the kids stay in the gate and be safer," said one neighbor.
"I don't know if we have to be locking the gates now or closing the gates up but I think that's something we need to thing about as well," said Ravachieri.
If you have any information that could lead to the identification of this subject or vehicle, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS(8477).
