Man grabs trick-or-treating girl, follows other children in van on Halloween night, police say

KELSO, Wash. (KPTV/Gray News) - Authorities say they are investigating after reports of a man in a white van trying to grab a child and following children on Halloween evening.

According to the Kelso Police Department, officers were called just before 7 p.m. to a neighborhood after a man reportedly grabbed a girl by the arm while she was out trick-or-treating.

The girl said the man in question was wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans, and that he got out of a white utility van that had been following her.

Police said the girl told them that she was able to get away from him after kicking him in the groin.

Officers checked the area but did not find any matching vehicles or suspects.

Shortly after the report in Kelso, officers with the Longview Police Department said they also received word of a van following children who were out trick-or-treating.

Kelso police said security footage from the neighborhood was being checked and urged anyone with further information to contact them at 360-423-1270.