Photo by Miki J.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District has ramped up patrols around schools and playgrounds after two separate instances where men were spotted watching children.

Last Friday, a man who police describe as “possibly Hispanic or Middle Eastern,” in his late 20’s or early 30’s with an athletic build, was seen taking pictures of children on a playground. The incident occurred in the Van Ness neighborhood at 4121 Nebraska Avenue NW. The suspect was driving a maroon Nissan Sentra.

Three days earlier, an older man with grey hair was seen driving “slowly towards a child” in the Friendship Heights area at 4404 Yuma Street NW. The man, of “medium complexion,” was driving a small blue SUV.

There have been no reports of abductions or attempted abductions, according to MPD’s Commander Melvin Gresham, who is asking residents of these communities to report any suspcious activity.

In another incident, on April 18, MPD said that two subjects riding in a white car approached a young girl in the 3900 block of Argyle Terrace NW. The driver offered the child candy, attempting to lure her into the vehicle. Police describe one of the suspects as White or Hispanic with short grey hair, around 70 years old. He also has green eyes, and “a tattoo in the shape of a beetle on the back of his neck.” The other man is described as also being White or Hispanic, around 60 years old with white hair and a nose ring. Both men reportedly have accents. Police also offered a sketch of them in a release.