Luring Attempt Reported In South Hill Neighborhood

Police are investigating a report of a man, who may be a registered sex offender, trying to lure several teenagers at a South Hill school bus stop.

Amy Wright said her 14-year-old son was waiting for a school bus with other students from Ferrucci Junior High when a man in a pickup truck pulled up and tried to convince some of the kids to come with him.

“When he turned around to see that the bus was there, that's when he slammed his fist on the dash all upset and took off because his plan was ruined by the bus showing up. If she hadn't have been on time, I don't know what could have happened,” Wright said.

Pierce County sheriff’s detectives said one possible suspect is a 32-year-old registered sex offender who was convicted of several crimes involving children in another state.

According to police reports, Wright's son picked the suspect out of a line up conducted by investigators.

“If he did try to get them into his car and he is a registered sex offender, he's going to have some huge problems, so that's one of the things we're looking at now,” said Detective Ed Troyer.

Wright said since the incident last week, she and her neighbors have been making sure their kids aren't alone outside.

“It's very scary. I mean my son's 14-years-old my other son is 12 and there down there with other kids as well,” she said.

The name of the possible suspect is not being made public until investigators are certain he is the man they are looking for.