PARENT WARNING: Second Incident of Suspicious White Van at Redding School Bus Stop

Reported by Paula Antolini

A white van appeared at a school bus stop at 8:35 a.m. this morning, March 18, 2014, at John Read Middle School in Redding, and slowed down where a female student was waiting for her bus. The van driver, a white male in his 20’s, made eye contact with the girl, started rolling down his window, the girl became "uncomfortable" and she ran back to her home. The girl said the man did not speak to her, but the van had a white license plate and the letters in some combination of C,V,W.  At last sight the van was heading towards Route 58. The driver is wearing a white T-shirt and a red Chicago Bulls flat brimmed hat.  (According to the Eaton Courier's report today, March 18, 2014.)

The Redding and Bethel Police departments are working together to resolve this situation.  Police Chief Fuchs released a press statement that said "The Redding Police Department, with the assistance of the Bethel Police Department, did locate some vehicles which matched this description - all have been cleared."

An first incident was reported on March 3, 2014 in Bethel CT when a Bethel Middle School student was dropped off the late bus about 4:15 p.m. on Route 58 near her home. The man got out of his van but the girl was able to run to her home nearby. He was described as in his 30's and wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and black shoes.  He was clean cut, no facial hair and no tattoos or other marks.

Parents were notified about the white van in a letter to parents from the Superintendent of Bethel Schools and BMS.

Author note:  I personally saw a plain white van drive down my street near the Redding border in Bethel, van was driving towards Route 58, on March 14, 2014, and I reported it to Bethel Police.  I also posted the info. to friends and parents on Facebook. (Photo shown with this article is a sample van photo, and not the actual van.)