New Hope Police Warn Public of ‘Unusual’ Incidents
People driving through New Hope should think twice before stopping for anyone waving them down on the side of the road.
According to the New Hope Police Department, two people called 911 on the evening of Aug. 30 between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. to report that a woman had flagged them down near the intersection of Bass Lake Road and Quebec Avenue.
In one of the instances, when the vehicle slowed down to see what the woman wanted, a man approached the driver’s side window and punched the driver through the open window.
In the other encounter, the driver quickly drove off before anything happened.
New Hope police respond to “unusual” incidents.
“It’s unusual and it’s concerning in the fact that it happened more than once,” said New Hope Police Captain Scott Slawson. “It’s important for us to let the public know of these trends as they emerge so they can make good decisions for protecting themselves, and remind them that 911 is always an option instead of stopping for a situation that they don’t feel safe in.”
Slawson says it’s hard for him to recall a similar incident happening in the city. When asked of the possible motive, he said that he’d be speculating, but “anything’s possible.”
In the meantime, police say that if drivers happen to see someone waving them down from the side of the road, they should use their best judgment.
“We’re always happy to respond and check things out if someone feels that the police would be better-suited to help someone than stopping themselves,” Slawson said.
Anyone with information should call the New Hope Police Department at (763) 531-5170.
