Man tries to lure toddler from family in Golden Gate

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GOLDEN GATE, Fla. A man tried to lead a 3-year-old boy away from his family Sunday at a church, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.

The family was taking pictures around 2:30 p.m. behind Church of God Naples on 11965 Collier Blvd. when the man approached the boy and took him by the hand, according to the sheriff’s office.

MORE: Man seen trying to lure girl near East Naples Middle

A family friend chased the man down and grabbed the boy, the sheriff’s office said in an incident report. The child wasn’t hurt.

The family didn’t know the man, according to the sheriff’s office. The encounter wasn’t immediately reported to authorities.

The suspect was described as about 50 years old, 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes with short hair and a clean-shaven face, according to the incident report.

It’s the third time within a week that a man has tried to lure a child in Collier County. The first encounter happened on Marco Island and the second near East Naples Middle School.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 239-252-9300.

MORE: Marco Island Police increase patrols after man attempts to lure 12-year-old girl

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