District: Students approached by suspicious stranger

Laguna Beach Unified School District officials are warning parents and students to be on the lookout after Laguna Beach police said three Thurston Middle School students were approached in a suspicious manner on nearby streets at two different times earlier this week.

A 13-year-old boy reported to school personnel that a man in a white sports car stopped at the corner of Alta Laguna Boulevard and Treetop Lane at 3:30 p.m. Monday and asked the child to enter his vehicle, according to district and police information. The student refused and reported that the car sped away.

Two other boys, ages 11 and 14, were approached at Park and Tahiti avenues at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Police are investigating both incidents and have increased patrols in the area.

The district notified parents Tuesday by phone and email, Leisa Winston, the district human resources and communications director, wrote in an email.

Anyone with information can contact police at (949) 497-0701.

The district offered the following safety tips: stay alert and be aware of surroundings; if approached by a suspicious stranger run away and immediately notify a parent or trusted adult; whenever possible, walk with a partner or in a group; stay away from remote or unfamiliar areas and do not approach vehicles that may slow or stop ahead of you.

Call 911 to report suspicious people or activity.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce