UPDATE (10 p.m. Thursday, June 19): The Wright County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into a report of a man taking pictures of children in Montrose, stating yet another Realtor or mortgage worker was responsible for the confusion and concern.
From the WSCO: “Sheriff Hagerty reports that the driver of the white van has been identified and contacted. The driver was in the Montrose area on legitimate real-estate/mortgage business which required taking photos of homes in the area. The incident was closed as no criminal activity occurred. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the visitors to our Facebook page as the incident was brought to a speedy conclusion with the assistance of an unnamed follower.”
Unofficially, it’s the first time social media has been vital in solving an open case in Wright County.
ORIGINAL STORY
For the second time in less than two years, a community in Wright County is on alert after a man in a van has allegedly approached young women on the street.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, a call to Wright County Dispatch was placed shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 17 about a suspicious person in the area of Emerson Avenue North and Fifth Street North in the City of Montrose.
The person, described as a white male driving a white mini-van, appeared to have taken the picture of two children standing on a nearby sidewalk.
The vehicle then drove off towards County Road 12.
Responding deputies were unable to locate the vehicle upon their arrival. At this time, there is no information of criminal wrongdoing and the incident is currently under investigation.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Eric Leander at 763-682-7645.
In September 2012, Albertville was on alert after a similar situation involving a 15-year-old girl.
According to a sheriff’s report from that incident, a white van was also involved.
“On September 1, 2012 at 7:58 p.m. Wright County Sheriffs Office [WCSO] received a report from a residence in Albertville in regards to a suspicious incident in the 5000 block of Kalland Ave NE. Upon arrival the deputies talked with a 15 year old female who reported that two unknown males asked her to get into their van while she was out walking.
The van was described as an off white or greyish colored, older conversion van with a sliding side door and dark colored windows. The driver was reported to be an older, heavy set, bald white male wearing a black sweatshirt. The passenger was believed to be a skinny, tall white male possibly in his 20’s wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.”
A man was also reported for taking pictures in Albertville last fall, but after investigation deputies discovered he was a Realtor taking pictures of a foreclosed property, and was not, in fact, taking pictures of kids playing in the neighborhood.