Police investigating report of man approaching students outside crofton elementary

CROFTON, Md. – Police are investigating a report of suspicious activity near Crofton Elementary School after three students said a man tried to lure them into his car Monday morning.

According to Anne Arundel County Police, the incident happened between 8:00 and 8:20 a.m. on January 12, when three magnet program students from two Annapolis-area middle schools were waiting for their bus at Crofton Elementary on Duke of Kent Drive. Investigators said a man driving a gray four-door sedan pulled up and asked the students to get into his vehicle.

When they refused, the man reportedly exited the car and again told them to get in, claiming he was taking them to school. The students, unsure of who he was, ran away and later reported the encounter to school officials after arriving safely at their schools.

Officers responded around 10:30 a.m. and began investigating. The suspect left the area before police arrived, and no one was harmed. Authorities have not released a detailed description of the driver beyond the vehicle information.

Police are reminding families to review safety practices with children, including walking in groups, staying alert, refusing rides or gifts from strangers, and reporting any suspicious behavior to adults or law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Anne Arundel County Police or report tips anonymously through the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line at 833-MD-B-SAFE, available 24 hours a day.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.