Police receive 6th report of attempted luring

by Elizabeth Dunbar, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — St. Paul Police are still trying to determine whether luring incidents involving teen girls are related after a sixth case was reported on Thursday.

Police said in all cases men tried to get the girls to come to their vehicles.

The most recent incident was reported Thursday on Syndicate Street between Portland and Summit avenues. A 12-year-old girl told police she was on her bike when a man driving a "boxy" white van or station wagon drove alongside her and asked if she wanted to make some money. The girl was able to ride to a nearby grocery store, and the man drove off.

Police spokesman Andy Skoogman says there's still no clear connection between the various incidents.

"Our investigators are taking a close look at all of these cases," Skoogman said. "There are some similarities but there are also a number of differences as well. They have not established any clear relationship between the incidents."

The incidents have been reported in different areas of the city. In all cases the girls have run away and were not hurt.