Police: Man made sexual comments while attempting to lure girls in Boxford

BOXFORD, Mass. — Police warning residents of Boxford and neighboring towns of a potentially dangerous predator who tried to lure two 11-year-old girls into his car.

It happened on Saturday shortly before 3 p.m. on Bare Hill Road.

The two girls gave a vivid description of the man to investigators after getting away from him. The pair sat down with a sketch artist on Tuesday, and that sketch was released exclusively to Boston 25 News after it was completed.

According to police, the man drove up to the girls, made disturbing sexual comments to them and tried to get them in his car..

“We have a sense that he might’ve just been driving around waiting for an opportunity,” Boxford Police Sgt. Matthew Dupont said.

Police said they hope the sketch will lead to clues as they search for the man who was driving a newer gray or silver sedan.

“He made some sexual comments where he wanted to solicit the girls, help him explore some sexual endeavors. So much so that they got very, very scared,” Dupont said.

The explicit nature of his statements, the young age of the girls and the “off the beaten path” area where it happened are all concerning factors that are fueling the urgency of this investigation.

Boxford Police have alerted residents and surrounding police agencies on social media.

The suspect described as a white man in his 30s or 40s with short brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a black button-up shirt and gray pants when he approached the girls.

Police in neighboring Topsfield confirm they’re investigating a report with some similarities made by a 14-year-old girl last Monday.

The Topsfield teen said a man tried to lure her into his vehicle on Washington Street, only a couple miles away from the reported Boxford encounter. Investigators aren’t sure if it could be the same suspect.

Boston 25 News spoke with the 14-year-old’s mother who said she was very concerned for children walking in the area. She said her daughter knew better than to go near the stranger.

There are two things that separate the two cases. The suspect in the Topsfield incident did not make any sexual comments and was described as driving a pickup truck, not a sedan.

“You read the news all the time and see what happens. Especially nowadays, there’s no limits. God forbid what can happen,” said Boxford resident Rich Hertel.

Boxford Police assure residents that the department is committed to doing everything possible to track down the suspect who’s at large. They are also advising residents to talk with their kids about not speaking with strangers.

Investigators said the two little girls who were approached by this man were well informed by their families.

“It’s not something that we deal with in a small bedroom community every day, but this type of stuff can happen anywhere,” Dupont from Boxford PD said.

If you recognize the man seen in the sketch or have additional information, call the Boxford Police Department at 978-887-8135.

Cox Media Group