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Series Of Attempted Child Abductions Concern Arvada Police

ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Arvada are concerned that a suspect or suspects in a series of attempted child abductions may become more violent.

Four times in 10 days someone has tried to prey on young girls. One was outside the Apex Rec Center off Ward Road, another at the YMCA and two other cases near 69th and Robb Street. A suspicious man was seen near 77th and Parfet Street.

In one instance an 11-year-old girl was playing with two friends in a cul-de-sac in broad daylight when a man approached them and exposed himself.

Police believe that same man may be responsible for luring a 6-year-old outside the YMCA and covering her mouth with his hands as well as jumping out of bushes at the Apex Rec Center and grabbing a 12-year-old. fortunately both girls were able to break free.

Although police can't say definitively if it is the same man, the descriptions are similar.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 50s with salt and pepper hair and seen driving a grey or silver sedan.

"These instances happen in a split second. You could turn your back to go to the vending machine to get a bottled water and it can happen that quickly. So we're urging parents to have a conversation and it's not simply stranger danger. This is sitting down with your kids and having a strict conversation about who can approach you and who can't," said Arvada Police spokeswoman Susan Medina.

Police have increased patrols in those neighborhoods where the suspicious activity has been reported. They're also working with Jefferson County Schools to inform parents of what's been happening.

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