An 80-year-old Moscow resident who offered rides to primary school children from his car in Mytishchi has been found, according to Russian media reports.
The man was located after residents raised concerns about an elderly driver approaching young pupils in a black Toyota Camry, the Russian news channel 112 reported on Monday. Investigators identified the driver as a pensioner living in the capital.
When questioned by law enforcement officers, the man claimed that he only intended to help a young girl get home. He told officers that as soon as the child refused the offer, he drove away from the scene.
Police stated that no complaints or formal reports regarding the elderly man had ever been received before this incident. Officers have opened an official verification check to examine the circumstances of the encounter.
Reports from local residents
Word of the driver attempting to lure children into his vehicle first surfaced in Mytishchi on 26 October. Alarmed parents and neighbors quickly shared warnings across local community networks.
Local residents said the stranger had repeatedly appeared near a neighborhood school and adjacent bus stops. According to their accounts, he approached pupils in grades one to three, who are typically between seven and nine years old, and offered to drive them to their homes.
Residents also alleged that prior to approaching the school pupils, the same man had approached several women in the area and offered them cash in exchange for kisses.
Police inquiry and legal background
Mytishchi is a large residential and industrial city in Moscow Oblast, situated directly north-east of the capital near the Moscow Ring Road. With a population exceeding 250,000, the commuter suburb connects directly to Moscow through major road and rail networks.
Under Russian legal procedure, a preliminary police check allows officers to review witness statements, interview individuals, and decide whether there are sufficient grounds to open a formal criminal case. The 112 channel, which regularly reports on security operations and emergency services across Russia, said authorities are continuing their review.
