CORTLAND - Cortland police are asking for the public's help in investigating what could be a child enticement case.
The case involves two girls, ages 11 and 12. Police said in a statement Friday the step-parent of one of the girls reported by phone that the girls had been at a business in the 100 block of S. High St. at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday when they were approached by a man and a woman who tried to get the girls to follow them to a ravine along Walnut Run Creek near the business. The adults told the girls they had something to show them, police said.
When the girls got nervous and started humming a song, the woman said she knew the song and that it makes the man "horny."
The adults asked the girls their names, ages and if they were alone. The girls gave them no information and went outside, where the adults followed them, threatening to follow them home, but did not.
The adults were described as a black female, approximately 18 years old, wearing glasses, black capri pants in a camouflage design and a black and white tie-dyed shirt. The man was white and approximately 20, wearing blue shorts and a grey T-shirt, and also wore a yellow bike helmet when he left. Both subjects were riding silver bikes with fanny pack-type bags on the back of each bike.
Police checked the surrounding area but did not locate anyone matching the description.
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Police seek assistance
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cortland Police at 330-638-1000.
Witnesses confirmed the adults were seen near South High Street and Main Street as well as the Stahl Avenue area earlier in the day. Police also checked the ravine area and walked the area surrounding Walnut Run Creek and are also checking area businesses for surveillance video.
"Our agency is taking this extremely seriously and would request anyone that has information to contact the Cortland Police Department," said Chief Tom Andrews.