VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Police say they are investigating a woman who had bizarre encounters with Virginia Beach families over the past month.
The woman is described as middle-aged, Asian, of medium build. She was seen driving both a light-colored pickup truck and a dark-colored pickup truck.
A family called police after allegedly approaching a mother and daughter in the parking lot of a Whole Foods on Laskin Road. According to the family, the woman asked her daughter for her name, age and nationality. They said the woman was wearing headphones and acting like someone was talking to her on the phone.
Neighbors on the reservation in Great Neck tell 10 On Your Side they’ve spotted the woman walking around their neighborhood several times. In one case, she approached a boy who was playing in his yard. When she started asking questions, he ran to find his mother.
“I’m afraid to take the children outside. They love to ride their scooters and bikes up and down and come see their grandparents. It’s just super concerning,” said neighbor Colleen Devita.
Another neighbor shared dash cam footage of Ringo with 10 On Your Side showing the encounter with the woman. While the mother and her child were unloading groceries, a woman pulled up to the house in a black pickup truck. She paused in front of the house, then turned around.
Neighbor Nancy Conrad says parents’ concerns are spreading throughout the neighborhood.
“I don’t know that it’s not necessarily so much in this neighborhood, but if you’re going to the store or you’re in the park or wherever,” Conrad said. “You can turn. You just have to, you know, really go back to what they teach kids about stranger danger. To be more aware of your surroundings.”
Virginia Beach police spokeswoman Jodi Saunders said the detective unit began investigating the incidents after community members sent emails about strange encounters. She says parents should continue to report such concerns to police, and that the department is monitoring the situation closely.
“First of all, we just want to make sure the community is aware of it,” Saunders said. “We know who she is and our investigators have been keeping an eye on her since late September when this was first brought to our attention.”
Saunders said this is an issue that community members should be talking about and communicating with police.
“Anytime a community member is approached by someone who exhibits threatening or worrisome behavior, we want to know about it,” she said. “We also saw all the comments on social networks. We continue to appreciate anyone’s reports of seeing such things.”
Saunders said anyone wishing to report a non-emergency case should contact the Detective Bureau at (757) 385-4101.
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