Lake City police search for man who tried to entice boys into his truck

Lake City Police need help tracking down a man who approached students at Epiphany Catholic School.

Those children said the man told them to climb a fence and get in his truck.

Police said teachers saw a blue or aqua pickup truck pull up to the playground fence.

Both boys, ages 5 and 7, described the man as having a bushy mustache and goatee.

When the teachers walked over to investigate, they said the man quickly drove off.

Lake City father of three Zachary Cromwell said it hits too close to home.

“Epiphany has been around for a very long time. It’s right down the road from our home,” said Cromwell.

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“It’s just bad. I mean, you think your kids are safe going to school and then obviously not,” said Lake City father Michael Danzeisen.

Officers searched the area but found no trace of the truck or its driver.

Danzeisen said it’s an important reminder for parents to talk to their kids about strangers.

“Forewarn them, if they see people like that, they need to tell somebody – an adult around, immediately. And the police need to be notified,” said Danzeisen.

Teachers called police around lunchtime on Wednesday.

Police put out a warning around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

A police spokesman said the information didn’t get passed along to public information officers until Thursday because of scheduling.

Cox Media Group