Two men try to lure Camarillo boys into van

Police are searching for two men who tried to lure two 13year-old boys into their van on Saturday.

The men pulled alongside the boys as they walked from Camarillo Heights Elementary School near Catalina and Mission drives around 3 p.m. and asked if they wanted candy, police said.

When the boys said no, the men asked if they wanted to make a movie, and the boys ran away, Senior Dep. Julie Novak said.

The boys called the police, but by the time deputies arrived, the men were gone.

The pair were described as white males in their mid-20s. One man has a thin build, the other is heavy set and wore a white and red baseball cap.

Anyone who has information on this case or the two men may call the Camarillo Police Department at (805) 388-5100.

Novak said the boys did exactly what children should do in such a situation: Say no, run away and tell someone.

She said children should always walk with a friend. Most important, Novak said, is that children should never get into a car with a stranger, as statistics show that once an abductor has the child in the car the chance of a safe recovery is far less.

The Camarillo Police Department offers schools a free program, "Stranger Danger," that teaches children what to do when approached by a stranger.

For information on the program, call Novak at (805) 3885131.

- Michelle Knight