Locked car leads to bus-stop stranger

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WOOD) - A man is being investigated for allegedly offering rides to middle school students at their bus stop.

It wasn't until later when he needed help from police after locking himself out of his car at a nearby business that authorities connected him to the case.

The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety received a report around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday of a suspicious person approaching Upton Middle School students at a bus stop.

The suspect drove up next to the students near S. State Street and Duverne Avenue in St. Joseph, and asked them if they wanted a ride to school, police said in a news release.

When the students declined, the suspect offered them a ride to Coloma, police said. The students again declined, and the suspect drove away.

A short time later, the suspect called police after he locked himself out of his car.

An officer responded, prior to receiving the description of the suspect at the bus stop, and unlocked the caller's car.

After obtaining the suspect's description, the officer realized it matched the person whose vehicle was locked.

The officer confirmed the vehicle's owner was the same person described by the students at the bus stop.

The report will be forwarded to the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office for review on appropriate charges.