PAOLA — The Paola Police Department is asking for help from the public to identify and locate a vehicle and subject that was seen around Lake Miola approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Police said a man driving a van approached a female pedestrian and asked questions that made the walker feel uncomfortable and concerned. On the opposite side of the lake, the driver again approached the walker, asking more questions that concerned her so she called the police. Officers immediately responded to the area but didn’t find the vehicle or the subject. Police describe the vehicle as an older model plain white van with Missouri license plates. The van had custom narrow windows on driver’s side, covered with some type of white material, police said. Other than a front passenger door, there were no other side doors. The van had hinged back doors with one window on the right side with chain link fencing on the inside of the window. Papers were on the dash in front of the passenger’s seat. Police describe the driver as a white man 50 to 60 years old. He had gray and brown hair, and a graying 5 o’clock shadow beard. He had a raspy voice. He wore a gray T-shirt with a gray and blue ball cap. Contact the Paola Police Department at (913) 259-3640. Callers may remain anonymous.
Tuesday, May 10, 3:30 p.m.
