Local officials investigate attempted abduction in Dike

GRUNDY COUNTY – Over the past few weeks, there has been a number of attempted child abductions in both Dike and Cedar Falls, and now, local law enforcement has advised that the incidents are likely connected.
The latest attempt was reported on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 2.
Shortly before 4:30 p.m. that day, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department responded to Dietrick Trailer Court four miles east of Dike, where there was a report of an attempted child abduction.
The caller who notified the sheriff’s department of the incident reported that a male suspect in his 30’s, with dark skin driving a silver mid-sized car approached two girls and offered them money. The girls avoided the suspect by going inside a house and telling an adult.
Earlier that day, around 3:30 p.m., a similar incident occurred at a playground in Cedar Falls.
Reports say that three children were playing at Clay Street Park when a silver, four-door vehicle approached them. The driver, who was described as a male in his mid-30’s with short brown hair, offered the children money to get in, but they told him no and he drove away.
These two incidents are not the only ones to occur in both Dike and Cedar Falls over the past few weeks. On June 21, another attempted abduction occurred at the city park in Dike, and similar incidents are reported to have occurred in Cedar Falls, as well.
Grundy County Sheriff Rick Penning said that all the cases shared similarities, especially the two reported on Tuesday.
“There’s similarities in the description of the suspect and vehicle in both cases and we’re working with Cedar Falls [police] and other agencies to get to the bottom of it,” he said.
In light of the recent incidences, Penning urges parents to make sure their children know not to talk to strangers, and to never get into a stranger's car. He added that children should walk or play in groups, and avoid walking or playing alone. He also mentioned that children should be observant to vehicle and suspect descriptions, especially license plates.
If anyone sees anything suspicious, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department urges them to contact the sheriff's office immediately by calling 319-824-6933.