'Come with me:' Sheriff seeks driver who approached 14-year-old girl in Richfield

RICHFIELD -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office asked for public assistance in connection with a possible child enticement incident that happened in Richfield on Friday afternoon, May 8.

Authorities said the interaction happened near Whispering Ridge Drive and Scenic Drive. A 14-year-old girl was walking home alone from a common area in a subdivision when she was approached from behind by a man who said, "Come with me."

Sheriff's officials said the girl refused, and the man said it again, louder, at which point the girl ran to a nearby friend's house for help. The man briefly chased after the girl.

The girl last saw him jogging down Whispering Ridge toward Scenic, and saw a full-sized brown van prior to the incident. A van possibly matching the description was seen in the area a few days prior.

In an update on Sunday, May 10, sheriff's officials said they were able to identify the owner of the van following a tip from a resident who saw it in the City of Hartford. "The owner of the van is cooperating fully with the investigation and is not believed to be involved in the attempted child enticement," sheriff's officials said.

They are still seeking the man who approached the child.

Sheriff's officials described the suspect vehicle as possibly an older model full-sized or larger boxy style minivan or brown/tan van that was observed parked facing south on Scenic Drive prior to the incident.

The driver was described as white, with pale skin, average height, slightly overweight, wearing long tan shorts and brown Crocs. He also had what the victim described as a raspy voice.

Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 262-335-4378.