Luring case is dismissed

The Sheriff's Department Sexual Assault Unit, with the aid of the Moorpark Police Department Investigations Unit, examined a report of two girls who claimed a man had asked them to get into his car. The investigation revealed that no crime has occurred. The incident was a misunderstanding between the individuals involved and no arrests were made.

On Sat., Sept. 8, at about 5 p.m., two female juveniles ages 9 and 10, both of Moorpark, reported they had been approached by a man who told them he had found a rabbit and was trying to find the owner. The girls reported the man had asked them to get into his car so he could show them the rabbit. The girls refused to get into the vehicle and the man then left the area.

Detectives then questioned several residents in the area of Cedar Pines and Christian Barrett. The residents said a man had contacted them, saying he had found a rabbit and was trying to locate the owner. One resident reported seeing the rabbit.

Detectives spoke with a man living in the area who admitted he had found a rabbit and was talking to numerous neighbors, including the two girls. He denied asking the girls to get into his vehicle but told them that if they knew the owners of the rabbit they could come to his house.

The man has lived in the area with his wife and two daughters for more than 18 months.

Detectives also verified the existence of the rabbit.