KSJD Local Newscast - June 7, 2024

A man has reportedly admitted to contacting children in Cortez and offering them money, but says he did not mean to intimidate or scare anyone. Assistant Cortez Police Chief Andy Brock told KSJD that the man says he was merely trying to help people, not lure the children anywhere. Police had warned the community in a recent social-media post about two incidents that indicated possible danger to children. One, which was reported on June 4, involved a truck pulling up beside two girls near Kemper Elementary School the previous afternoon. A man reportedly held out cash and asked the girls to approach the truck. When they refused, he threw two $5 bills toward them, driving off while saying, “God bless.” An earlier call to police had reported a man doing something similar while on foot in the parks. The man had not been identified until he called to confess. Assistant Chief Brock said the man is supposed to come in for an interview, which should produce more information. The man is reportedly a local resident with no criminal record. Brock says he does not recall any similar incidents of strangers approaching kids in Cortez before this, but police always urge parents to warn their children about such dangers.