Suspicious Man in New Hartford Forces Cancellation of Race

Police in New Hartford are looking for a suspicious man who was reportedly attempting to lure two students into the woods during a cross country meet at Perry Junior High in New Hartford on Saturday, according to authorities. Upon recommendation by police, school officials cancelled the athletic event.

An alert was issued by authorities just before noon that police were looking for a white male, about 5'10" who was wearing a camouflaged jacket with a hood. According to the district, "a student reported that they had been approached by an adult male who tried to get the student to follow the male off the course." The school also reported that a student from Mt. Markham Central School District was approached by the man before the meet. The student ran from the man and then became lost in the woods, prompting a search. The students was later found.

Screenshot

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Department's Drone Unit is assisting with the search for the individual, according to Sheriff Rob Maciol.

In an email to parents, the school district said that the investigation is continuing and police are searching the area.

"A New Hartford Central School District cross country meet ended early Saturday, Sept. 17, because a student reported that they had been approached by an adult male who tried to get the student to follow the male off the course.

A Mount Markham Central School District student was walking the course at Perry Junior High School before the race when the student said they were approached by the adult. The student ran away and became lost, prompting a search for them.

New Hartford police along with district officials decided to end the meet as they searched for the adult.

Police are currently searching the area, and the investigation is ongoing.

The district will provide more information as it becomes available." -letter to parents

This is a developing story that will be updated as information becomes available.

36 Ideas to Inexpensively Make Your Backyard Feel Like a Resort

Here are some fairly easy and inexpensive ways to make your back yard feel like you're on vacation and a beautiful summer resort. If these 5 families can do this in Upstate New York, it can be done anywhere!

LOOK: What are the odds that these 50 totally random events will happen to you?

Stacker took the guesswork out of 50 random events to determine just how likely they are to actually happen. They sourced their information from government statistics, scientific articles, and other primary documents. Keep reading to find out why expectant parents shouldn't count on due dates -- and why you should be more worried about dying on your birthday than living to 100 years old.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)