Boy says stranger approached him near Iowa City school

IOWA CITY – An 8-year-old student at Iowa City's Shimek Elementary School has reported that an adult stranger approached him near school last week, asked his name and phone number and threatened to pull him into a car.

The boy and other students are safe, Principal Terry Dervrich said Thursday. Teachers and other staff are being extra watchful for anything out of the ordinary, she said.

The police have increased patrols near the school, 1400 Grissel Pl., on the city's north side, said Sgt. Denise Brotherton, spokeswoman for the Iowa City Police Department.

It's not clear whether the man meant any harm, she said.

The alleged incident happened about a week ago and the family reported it to the police Wednesday. The boy said he was waiting for a sibling at the corner of Grissel Place and Whiting Avenue, a block from the school, when the man approached him. The boy refused to provide the information the man asked for and ran away without being pursued after the man threatened to put the boy in a car, according to police.

The boy did not see the man's vehicle. The suspect is described as a white man of medium height and build, medium-length blond hair and tattoos on his upper arms.

Brotherton said getting the report a week later and having an 8-year-old as the alleged victim have made it harder to get detailed, accurate information. For example, the boy could not remember what day the interaction occurred.

She also said it's possible the man was simply odd or suffering from mental illness.

School officials also were made aware of the matter on Wednesday, said Ann Feldmann, assistant superintendent for the Iowa City school district. An automated phone call will be sent to Shimek parents alerting them to what happened, she said.

Teachers have reviewed with students what to do when approached by a stranger and reminded them to know the location of homes with stickers on them designating them as a safe place for a child to seek refuge, Feldmann and Dervrich said.

School activities, including recess, are occurring as usual, Dervrich said.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are anonymous.