Albert Lea police are investigating a report of a man in his 20s who reportedly stopped and asked a group of pre-teen girls for a ride and offered to give them candy.

Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said the incident took place on Wednesday near Hawthorne Elementary School. The girls declined the man’s offer, and one of the girls took a photo of the man’s four-door, gold-colored car with her cell phone.

Winkels said the car matched the description of a car from a similar incident about a week and a half ago on Front Street.

Winkels said officers tracked down the man and have interviewed him.

He said while no criminal activity has been connected to him, people are asked to call police if they see him involved in any similar behavior. Police have not released the man’s name.

“It’s very inappropriate behavior for an adult male, and obviously we have concerns,” he noted.

Winkels said information advising area schools about the reports was sent out Thursday. This information has found its way onto social mediasites, gaining attention from many local residents.

He said it was not meant to create a public panic, just raise awareness.