UPDATE
CAMERON, Texas — New information from the Milam County Sheriff's Office said one of the attempted abduction incidents actually took place on Tuesday at a Thorndale convenience store.
In a release, the sheriff's office said a teenage driver believed she was being followed and Thorndale police believed the suspected follower could be trying to abduct the teen.
On Thursday evening, the sheriff's office said a separate incident occurred that involved similar vehicles. Thorndale police told the sheriff's office of the incident.
It was initially believed by the sheriff's office that both incidents occurred on Thursday and they both involved students walking home from school.
The sheriff's office said this is no longer the case.
Deputies said they then learned of another possible incident in Milano on Thursday evening, where police described a tan male driving a blue pick up truck who told a female student to "get in the vehicle or else be forced in."
The student ran off and the truck fled the scene.
The sheriff's office said the initial information was released to the public out of an "abundance of caution" to alert the public of possible dangers based on the information they believed was true at the time.
Sheriff Mike Clore reiterated that his office and partnering agencies will still have increased patrols at all Milam County school campuses out of a concern for public safety.
ORIGINAL STORY
CAMERON, Texas — Law enforcement in Milam County are on increased alert after students reported on three separate occasions that someone tried to abduct them.
"The safety of all Milam County children is our priority and this office will increase patrols near schools for the time being,” Sheriff Mike Clore said in a statement to 25 News.
Deputies responded to three calls of attempted child abduction Thursday evening — two of which happened in Thorndale and the other took place in Milano, according to a sheriff's spokesperson.
All of the incidents happened when students were walking home from school, the spokesperson said.
In response, the department said it will increase patrols at Thorndale and Milano area schools.
Authorities said a female student was walking home Thursday evening, when a man driving a blue pickup truck in Milano told her to "get in the vehicle or else be forced in."
The student was able to flee in the direction of a nearby railroad track away from the male suspect.
The sheriff's office describes him as having a tan complexion with no facial hair.
Over in Thorndale, one of the calls involved a man and woman driving in a white Honda Accord following students. The other incident involved a male suspect driving an unidentified vehicle following students.
Details about all three Thorndale suspects are limited. The sheriff's office described them only as Hispanic.
Sheriff Clore urges parents to discuss with their children the need for situational awareness and to run away if approached by someone they don't know.
Authorities ask those with information about the attempted child abductions to contact the sheriff's office at 254-697-7033 or call Crime Stoppers at 254-697-8477.
