Possible Kidnapper Targets Kids With Money

CHARLOTTE, NC — There’s no sign of a man who tried to lure children into his truck in an East Charlotte Neighborhood.

CMPD says it’s happened at least twice since Friday.

It’s one of those scenarios you warn your kids about.

“I’m still paranoid,” said Cole Marek.

Nine-year-old Cole and his seven-year-old brother, Vanndutch, say a man tried to get them into his white truck by offering them money.

“He was trying to lure us in his car,” said Vanndutch.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” said Julie Kasey. “Because, I swear, if anything happened to them, they’re my entire life. I would die.”

They say the man approached them on Hammett St. and Mantle Ct. around 8:30 Friday morning in the Oakhurst neighborhood.

Police believe it happened twice.

The boys say the man drove up, holding $20 out the window asking if the kids want the money.

“Cole said he was frozen,” said Kasey. “He said, ‘No, I don’t want that! Vandutch, run!’ And then, they took off.”

They ran to a neighbor outside. Then got on the school bus. Cole was in tears.

“It had most worried me when it had just happened. I wish I knew more about whoever this guy is,” said Cole.

Their mom says their school, Oakhurst STEAM Academy, did not notify her.

“How did I not hear about this? Why didn’t anybody call me? Why didn’t anybody tell me.”

The district said in an e-mail to the mom that the incident didn’t happen on school grounds so they didn’t notify her.

The mother says she’s working with the school to change policy.

The boys warn other children.

“I want other kids to learn to never get in strangers cars,” said Vanndutch.

“Whatever they offer, don’t do anything for them,” said Cole.