A 25-year-old man was arrested by Howard County police after he approached several children on their way to Bollman Bridge Elementary School in Jessup Thursday, offered them rides and, in one case, exposed himself.
Cartrel Darryl Baboolal, of Savage, was charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
Police said around 9 a.m. May 28, a 10-year-old student at a bus stop was approached by a man driving a green Mercedes, later identified as Baboolal. When he offered the student a ride to school, she refused.
Later, three other students, ages 9 and 10, were riding bikes to school when Baboolal approached them and got of out his car. Police said he stopped a child on her bike and offered her a ride to school. She refused and the children ran away.
Another 10-year-old student walking to school also reported that a man in a green Mercedes exposed himself and then drove away.
The students all reported the incidents when they arrived at the school on 8200 Savage Guilford Road, giving the same physical descriptions of Baboolal and his car, police said. An officer ran the Mercedes' tag number, listing Baboolal as the registered owner, and found him at his home in Savage. Baboolal matched the man's description, wearing the same clothing described by the children.
Baboolal was then arrested and taken to the county jail, where he is being held on $50,000 bail.
Police encourage parents to remind children of the following safety tips:
• It's okay to say no to an adult if you feel uncomfortable or don't know the adult, even if it
seems rude.
• Never get into anyone's car without a parent's permission.
• Never take candy or gifts from a stranger.
• Don't agree to help a grown up you don't know; adults should not ask kids to do things that
other adults can do for them.
• Walk or run in the opposite direction if a car pulls up beside you and you don't know the
driver.
• Yell for help if you are forced into a car or building.
• Remember that no one has the right to touch you if you don't want them to.