Police: Boy escapes kidnapping attempt at bus stop
After exiting his school bus, a 13-year-old in Texas is approached by two men, who reportedly demand at gunpoint that he get in their car.
Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor
February 11, 2016
Police said that a 13-year-old boy was approached by two men after he exited his school bus. The men reportedly demanded at gunpoint that he get in their car. Photo courtesy Liberty County Sheriff’s Office
2 min to read
Police said that a 13-year-old boy was approached by two men after he exited his school bus. The men reportedly demanded at gunpoint that he get in their car. Photo courtesy Liberty County Sheriff’s Office
PLUM GROVE, Texas — Police here are asking residents and school bus drivers to stay alert after a reported kidnapping attempt at gunpoint of a 13-year-old boy.
On Monday afternoon, the boy exited a Cleveland Independent School District bus near his home. According to a report from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the boy then saw two men in a small, gold-colored Lincoln car driving toward him slowly.
Ad Loading...
The two men were both reportedly wearing yellow and red “smiley face”-type masks. Police said that they got out of their vehicle, and one of them told the boy to “get in the car.” The boy said no and began walking away.
Police said that at that point, one of the men pulled out what the boy described as a small, black gun, and the man again demanded that the boy get into the car. Then the boy began running home, and the two men drove away.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Strait said that the boy was visibly upset and frightened, which contributed to a vague description of the two men. Still, the boy described the suspects as young, Hispanic males.
After the incident, Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader assigned much of his department’s north side patrol time to the area. He also issued an alert to ask for the community’s help.
“The sheriff is asking that both the residents as well as school bus drivers be alert for any suspicious vehicles or one that fits the description of the suspect’s vehicle,” police said, “and report the license plate number if the car is located.”
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.