By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

Two apparent instances of child stalking in six days have triggered a joint investigation by Pembroke and Allenstown police.

Lt. Scott Lane of the Pembroke Police Department said the first incident took place on Thursday, Dec. 1, and involved a 10-year-old boy walking to the Three Rivers School.

"It took place prior to school, sometime before 8:45," he said. "It's a heavily trafficked area between Buck Street and Route 28."

The boy described a man in his late teens or early 20s following behind him at a distance in a red Ford Taurus.

"He was followed for a few tenths of a mile," said Lane. "The operator of the vehicle followed the boy for a few minutes but did not approach him."

Once at school, the boy notified members of the administration, who in turned notified the police.

Lane was uncertain as to whether the man who followed the student planned out his method, but is concerned that the incident might be linked to a similar incident that took place in Allenstown on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

"There was no direct contact in the first incident, but if this is the same individual, his activity is escalating," said Lane. "Stalking is dependent largely on the comfort level of the suspect."

On Dec. 7, an 11-year-old boy was waiting for a school bus at the Bear Brook Villa Mobile Home Park in Allenstown, where he was approached by a man who offered him a ride.

"There are some similarities that raise the possibility that the two incidents might be related," Lane said. "The descriptions of the driver match, but there are some inconsistencies. The child from Pembroke is certain, but the boy from Allenstown isn't as sure."

The Allenstown youth described the vehicle of the stalker as a dark-colored midsized sedan.

Officer Jonathan Duchesne of the Allenstown Police Department said the timing and other similarities between the incidents is a factor.

"At his point, there's not all that much linking the two incidents," he said. "They both occurred in the morning, this incident occurred around 8:05 a.m. The region was the same, both incidents took place in a week and involved a male subject and juvenile victims by themselves."

Duchesne said the suspect pulled up to the bus stop, told the boy he had missed the school bus, and told him to get in the car. The boy refused.

Pembroke police are certain that the Dec. 1 event was not connected to the latest recorded incident of stalking, which occurred in the third week of October.

"The suspect and vehicle descriptions are different," said Lane. "The last incident involved a middle-aged man with long hair and a gray beard."

Lane said stalking can be difficult to define, but the victims were clear in their testimony.

"The legal definition says appearing repeatedly, time and time again in unexpected places that causes concern to the victim," he said.

Police have described this suspect as having short, dark hair cut above his ears. He was wearing dark sunglasses when last seen.

School officials have sent a letter home to parents, and both departments have directed patrols in the areas before and after school, Lane said. Given the proximity of the school to the police station, a response could arrive in less than two minutes.

Police are urging people to be cautious but not paranoid, and have a few pointers for children and families.

"At all times, don't walk alone, and never talk to strangers," said Lane. "Go where you're supposed to go, and if there's a change in plans, be sure to tell your parents. Make sure they know where you are."

"There should be no sense of public alarm, but parents and children should be conscious of some basic rules," said Duchesne. "Do exactly what these kids did; they said no, and walked away, then notified adults."

In the Allenstown case, the youth and his friends told the bus driver shortly after the event. His friends reached the bus station after the incident.

Anyone with information related to these incidents should call Detective Sgt. Dwayne Gilman of the Pembroke Police Department at 485-9173 or officer Jonathan Duchesne of the Allenstown Police Department at 485-9500.