Teenagers approached for rides

Teenagers walking in Merrick, Bellmore and East Meadow were recently approached by men in vehicles.

According to police, two 13-year-old females were approached at Front Street and Coolidge Drive in East Meadow at 4 p.m. on Jan. 9. A male Hispanic or Indian driving a dark-colored four-door Lincoln asked if they needed a ride. The girls crossed the street and the vehicle fled westbound on Front Street, said police.

A 13-year-old female was walking on Rhode Avenue near William Street in Merrick and was approached by two male Hispanics in a white van at 3 p.m. on Jan. 10, police said. The victim walked away and the van fled southbound on Rhode Avenue.

A female, 15, was walking on Sycamore Avenue near Losee Court in North Merrick at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 4 when a white van passed her numerous times. The teenager took out her cell phone and the van fled northbound on Sycamore Avenue, said police. Two unknown black males wearing black ski caps were in the vehicle, authorities said.

Another 15-year-old female reported a white van with orange registration plates driving behind her near Saw Mill Road and Odell Street in North Bellmore on Jan. 4, said police. A white van with tinted windows and an orange registration plate was also reported driving behind a 13-year-old female near Anchor Court and Arderso Street in North Bellmore later that day, police said.

According to authorities, a 15-year-old female was walking north on Peapond Road in North Bellmore at 5 p.m. on Jan. 2 when she was approached by an unknown male driving white van. The teenager ran away after the male asked if she wanted a ride. The vehicle fled northbound on Peapond Road, police said.

Detectives are requesting anyone with information about these incidents to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.