May 23, 2026. The NYPD is searching for a woman who tried to lure a 10-year-old boy into a van by offering him candy near Crescent Street and 33rd Avenue in Astoria, Queens on Monday evening. The boy ran home and was not harmed. Surveillance images of the suspect have been released.
Source: NYPD via Citizen NYC — Surveillance footage of the suspect.
What Happened
At approximately 5:15 PM on Monday, May 19, a 10-year-old boy was walking home from school near the corner of Crescent Street and 33rd Avenue in Astoria when a woman on a bicycle approached him.
According to the NYPD and the NY Daily News, the woman tried to engage the boy in conversation, then offered him candy — telling him she had it in a nearby van.
The boy sensed something was wrong and ran. The woman followed him on the bicycle before eventually fleeing in an unknown direction. The child made it home safely and told his family, who immediately contacted police.
NYPD detectives canvassed the area and recovered surveillance footage of the woman. The images were released Friday in hopes of identifying her.
Suspect Description
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Build | Medium |
| Complexion | Medium |
| Hair | Black, worn in a bun |
| Clothing | Burgundy T-shirt, black pants, black sneakers |
| Transportation | Bicycle |
The suspect was last seen fleeing the area on the bicycle. The van she referenced has not been located or described further by police.
What Parents Should Know
Child luring attempts, while statistically rare, are every parent’s worst fear. This boy did exactly what safety experts recommend — he recognized the situation felt wrong, refused to engage, and ran to a safe adult.
For parents in Astoria and across Long Island and NYC, the key safety rules to reinforce with children:
- Never accept anything from a stranger — candy, toys, rides, or any other inducement
- If someone makes you uncomfortable, run — go to the nearest house, store, or adult you trust
- Tell a parent or trusted adult immediately — this boy’s quick report to his family is what got police involved within hours
- It’s okay to be rude to adults — children need explicit permission to say no, walk away, or scream if they feel threatened
- Establish a family code word — if someone claims “your mom sent me,” the child can ask for the code word
How to Help
The NYPD is asking anyone with information about this woman to contact:
- NYPD Crime Stoppers: (800) 577-TIPS (8477)
- Online: crimestoppers.nypdonline.org
- Text: Send tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577
All calls are confidential. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $3,500 for information leading to an arrest.
No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.
Sources: NY Daily News | PIX11 | Citizen NYC