Predator Rumor Being Investigated

If an email detailing the attempted abduction of two boys from a local park is legitimate, then the Los Angeles Police Department wants to know and know now.

"I don't want to blow this off," said Senior Lead Officer Phillip Enbody. "I don't know if this is a mix-up or some twisting of something somebody said or if this occurred. I want to talk to the parents. I want them to come forward."

The email was received last week by a member of the Brentwood Homeowner's Association, who asked to remain nameless. A copy of the text was obtained by Patch. In it, the unnamed sender writes that "a close friend of mine," sent her three children to a park in Brentwood. While the sitter was helping the youngest after a fall, the older two were approached by a man and invited to see a cow in his car.

According to Ron Liber, vice president of the BHA board, the recipient knows the sender.

"We're looking into it," Liber said, who would not provide the names of the correspondents. "We've passed the information on to Officer Enbody."

The email says that a report was filed, but Enbody said that no one has filed a report with the LAPD, nor have they with any other local agencies.

"I've talked to the detectives," Enbody said.

He also pointed out that in the city of Brentwood, in Northern California, there is a similar crime alert posted on that city's police website. However, that alert is dated 9/20/2010 and involves a young girl.

He said that if the incident occurred, it's important that the people involved come forward quickly, so that if there is a child predator around, the public can be put on alert.

"They need to come into the station," he said. "It's open 24-seven. If they leave a message for me, I might not get it right away."

And that could be a problem.

But if the email turns out to be a hoax or a misunderstanding, then that creates needless panic.

"It creates fear," Enbody said.

Even if the rumor proves unfounded, Enbody still encourages parents to remain vigilant.

"You've got to watch your children whether there's a guy out there or not," he said.