Volusia deputies warn of stranger approaching kids

It was a scary day for parents in Volusia County.  Deputies and police worked two cases where they thought children were in danger.

Surveillance video from a Murphy USA gas station on Nova Road shows a man walking up to a sedan and opening the door.  Delecia Postell says her fourteen-year-old daughter was in the back seat of that car.

“At that time, that's when I noticed my daughter was saying 'No, no, no!'” Postell recalled, “I turned around and saw the guy's hand inside my car, reaching for my daughter.”

Holly Hill police say the guy may have thought there was someone in the car he could buy drugs from. Postell says it's scary for her and her daughter.

“I'm going to make sure she gets the counseling she needs to get past this,” she said, “and I'm going to be more aware of my surroundings from now on.”

Less than two miles away, Volusia County deputies say a man tried to lure two boys into a pickup truck.
“He says here, here's some candy if you get in the vehicle,” said Thomas Smith, father of one of the boys.

The boys ran to tell their parents. Smith said this creep better not show up there again. “If he ever comes back in here, I'll meet you at the hospital,” he said.

Police and deputies are coordinating their efforts to crack these cases. They say the tips are pouring in from the community.