Anne Arundel Co. Police Investigating Sex Assaults Targeting Teens

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)-- In Anne Arundel County, a rash of sexual assaults and incidents targeting young teens all centered around schools and bus stops.

Monique Griego has more on this frightening trend and the schools' warning to parents.

WJZ has obtained a letter sent to parents at seven Anne Arundel County schools. It warns parents about two incidents where strangers approached kids at bus stops. Now parents are on alert.

An 11-year old girl getting off the school bus says a man in a minivan approached her along Riva Road Tuesday. He asked if she wanted a ride. She ran away and got help.

"It was scary. It was very scary," said parent Tamar Cooper.

Earlier, police were called to Quiet Waters Park and Hillsmere Drive.

In that incident, a man was reported hiding in the bushes. He appeared to be watching students waiting for the bus.

A 13-year-old told her father who called police.

"These children did the right thing," said Justin Mulcahy, spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Police."They reported it to trusted adults and that's what we suggested."

Now the school system is sounding the alarm.

"Have a conversation with your child about what do it if this happens, how to prevent this happening," said Bob Mosier, spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Schools.

Parents who received the letter are taking note.

"I tell her, 'Anytime you see anybody that you don't know, if they try to talk to you, you need to find a parent,'" Cooper said. "'Go find an adult.'"

"I said, 'You know, if it came down to a scary situation, run or try to get attention from a neighbor,'" parent Kara McCandless said.

The two stranger danger incidents are not the only thing on police radar. They're also investigating two reported sex assaults targeting teens.

A 14-year-old says two men assaulted her.

She was walking her dog near Ridgely Court and Aberdeen Court in Crofton when she was attacked. The two men took off in a car.

An Annapolis High School student says she was assaulted on her way to school Monday morning. City police are investigating that case.

At this point, police say they don't believe any of these incidents are related. They are increasing patrols in the area. So far, there are no arrests in any of these cases.