Avalon Park dad says someone tried lure daughter

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office are on the lookout for a man, after they say he tried luring a girl into his car.  Now, the child's father is warning other parents to beware.

"She started running across this street," says the father. He says his 12-year-old daughter was on her way home walking their dog,when a stranger drove up.

"Pulled up to her right at the side and basically side, get in I'm gonna take you to the Science Center to meet your dad. She basically said no. and he said, come on get in, you don't want to have your dad waiting. And she started walking fast."

Deputies say the man asked the child to get in his white Volvo four different times. The girl's father says their pet even sensed something was wrong, as he was with the 12-year old.

"Our dog actually started barking and growling at the man."

After she got home and told her dad what happened, he called deputies.

"We are looking for this individual in his mid 40s, receding gray hair line, slender build. We believe this is the individual who did approach this young girl," says Sheriff's Office spokesman Jeff Williamson.

Investigators are glad the child was observant.

"She's very credible, very smart. She did all the right things."

As deputies step up patrols they warn other parents to talk to their kids. The girl's father is glad he taught his daughter what to do in cases of stranger danger.

"Definitely upset. Something that's scary. That something like this could happen so close to home!"

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.And if you know the suspect call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).