Search Continues For Suspect Accused Of Stalking Girl In Rockville Centre
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The search continues on Long Island for a man who police say is wanted for allegedly stalking a child.
It happened in the area of North Forest Avenue and Maple Avenue in Rockville Centre last Tuesday.
Nassau County police say a 10-year-old girl was walking to her bus stop when the man approached her and tried to get her to leave with him.
When she refused, Nassau County police said in a statement that "the subject displayed a handgun and knife located in his waistband."
That's when the girl ran towards students and parents standing at the bus stop and the suspect took off on foot. Nassau County police said the man was seen near Francis F. Wilson Elementary School.
However Rockville Centre police and the Rockville Centre School District disputed the police report, saying that neither organization had received reports of weapons involved and adding that the girl was specifically targeted.
Rockville Centre police said they are working with the Nassau County Police Department in the investigation, but said while there are reports of the suspect possessing a gun and knife, "no reports of that kind have been made to the Rockville Centre Police Department."
The Rockville Centre School District also released a statement saying "the facts, as reported to us, are significantly different than those reported in the news and on social media."
"As was reported to us, this was not a random, but a targeted incident, related to one individual that did not involve any weapons," the statement said. "The allegation that this man was at some point in time at Wilson School has been investigated and could not be corroborated. The information shared with us did not indicate that any other student in the school or the District was in any danger."
"The safety of the Rockville Centre residents is the top priority for the Rockville Centre Police Department, who are working diligently to apprehend the suspect," Rockville Centre police said in a statement.
Nassau County police have released a sketch of the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
