Update: Sketch Released In Suspicious Incident In Golden Gate

UPDATE: Further investigation by detectives has determined this incident was a misunderstanding between the child and the driver of the vehicle.

Detectives interviewed a woman who witnessed the exchange and determined the man did not try to lure the boy into his vehicle.

The witness told detectives that the man was standing next to his vehicle signaling with his hands at the child. The child rode away on his bike. She said she asked the man what he needed and he responded in Creole.

The man, who had a child in the back seat, showed her a parking pass and stated he was trying to find the school to drop off his child. She told him to follow her to the Golden Terrace Elementary School.

The man drove behind the woman to the school and dropped off the child. 

Original news release
Sketch Released In Suspicious Incident In Golden Gate
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Post Date: 08/24/2016 3:45 PM

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who deputies say tried to lure a boy into his car in Golden Gate on Wednesday morning.

CCSO has released a composite sketch of the person deputies are looking for.

Deputies responded to Golden Terrace Elementary School, 2711 44th Terrace S.W., around 8:30 a.m. in regard to a report of a suspicious incident involving a student.

Deputies say a man approached a 10-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle on 44th Street Southwest near 28th Avenue Southwest around 8:10 a.m. 

The man stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road, got out and told the boy to get into the car in both English and Creole. The boy kept on riding until he got to school, where he reported the incident to staff.  

The man was driving a black four-door vehicle and spoke with a Creole accent, deputies said.

Deputies said the man is described as black, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 200 pounds with brown eyes and short dark hair.  He was wearing a black short-sleeve shirt and shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1.800.780.TIPS (8477)