On February 29, 2024, the Newport Police were dispatched to Sam Case Elementary School on the report of an attempted stranger abduction. Officers learned that between 7 AM and 7:45 AM, a student at Sam Case Elementary was walking to school when they were approached by a woman in a white van on NE 9th Street between NE Grant Street and NE Fogarty Street in Newport. The woman walked around the van, opened the passenger door, and tried to talk the student into getting in for a ride. The student refused to get in the van and ran to school. Once at the school, the student reported the incident to school staff, who immediately reported the incident to the Police. The student is safe.

Newport Police searched the area for the van and suspect but were unable to locate either. The Newport Police Department is working with the Lincoln County School District, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police to provide additional resources to try to locate and identify the suspect, along with providing a safe area for parents and children to commute to and from school.

The incident remains under investigation.  The Newport Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance and seeking anyone who lives in the area and may have a home security or camera system that may have captured video of the suspect vehicle. Or, any other person who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the event occur. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Clark of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.