Student reports assault on way to school

Weiser police continue to search for a man who reportedly ran up behind an elementary school student and grabbed her backpack on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
 According to school district officials, the girl said she was walking to school at about 7:50 a.m. and was approached from behind by a stranger who was walking a dog.  
 She said the stranger grabbed her backpack, so she screamed and ran to a nearby house where the occupant of the house notified law enforcement.
 Law enforcement notified Pioneer School administration of the report. The school did not go into lockdown, but staff was notified and students were immediately brought off the playground and into the building as a precaution.  
 Students at Pioneer School, Park School, and Weiser Middle School were kept inside during recesses while WPD investigated the report.
 The incident occurred in the area of West 9th Street as the student was walking to school along Pioneer Road.
 Weiser Police Chief Carl Smith said the girl was traumatized in the incident and not able to provide enough details on the attacker.
 Anyone who noticed anything unusual on Jan. 22, or who might have information about the incident, should call WPD at 208-414-2244.