The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office has identified and cleared a man who offered rides to students at a bus stop.

On February 20, students at a bus stop in the Herkner Road area reported seeing a vehicle and a person unknown to them for the second time that month. The man had previously offered students a ride at the same stop. A student took a photo of the vehicle, which helped authorities identify the vehicle’s owner. A Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office deputy "quickly made contact with the individual and was able to determine that the man was in the area because he is a newspaper delivery driver and that is part of his route," according to a release from Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS). "After talking with police, it does not appear the individual intended the students any harm."

TCAPS praised students for reporting the issue, particularly the unnamed student "whose quick thinking to take a photo allowed police to follow up on the matter." The district continued: "Incidents like these offer good reminders to the community that if you see something, say something, and to talk to your child about never accepting rides from strangers."