Man Offers Candy To Kids, Tells Them To 'Hop In' Truck: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A man is wanted for an attempted kidnapping that occurred in a St. Petersburg neighborhood Thursday afternoon, police said.

Two boys, ages 8 and 10, were riding their bicycles near 18th Street N and Iris Street North. A white man in an older model dark green truck pulled up to them at 4:45 p.m., according to investigators. He asked the kids if they wanted candy and told them to "hop in" his truck. Instead of responding to him, the children rode away quickly on their bicycles and told adults about what had happened.

The driver has long brown hair, visible acne and is in the 25-35 age range, St. Pete police said. The truck also has a red tailgate and a red and silver sticker that says C or S 10. Detectives are reviewing doorbell and security video throughout the Kiwanis Park area, where this took place.

The boys were unharmed. Officers encourage parents to talk to their children about what to do in case they are ever in a similar situation with a stranger.

The St. Petersburg Police Department offers the following tips to discuss with your kids:

• Don't speak to strangers.
• Never get in strange vehicles, no matter how friendly the driver seems.
• If someone does try to approach the children, they should immediately run away and tell adults.

If you have any information that can help with this case, contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780, or text SPPD plus your tip to TIP911.