72-year-old sex offender arrested for allegedly trying to lure girls

SEATTLE -- Police said a 72-year-old registered sex offender was arrested Monday for allegedly attempting to lure two 12-year-old girls into his parked van in the Central District.

At about 5:25 p.m. officers responded to the area of 23rd Avenue and East Yesler Way for the report of a man trying to lure a 12-year-old girl into his van, a police statement said.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect attempted to lure two 12-year-old girls into his van while they walked down the sidewalk in the 2400 block of East Yesler Way.

Officers contacted the suspect, who was sitting in a light-colored minivan located in the 2400 block of East Yesler Way. A computer check showed that the suspect was a registered sex offender and he was taken into custody.

Police said the suspect will be booked into the King County Jail for investigation of child luring.

There was never any physical contact between the suspect and the two 12-year-old female victims, police said.