Watch CBS News

Charlton Police Warn Of Men Challenging Others To Rap Battles

CHARLTON (CBS) -- Police are letting the public know about an SUV full of men who pulled up to a group of young boys on Dresser Hill Road Saturday afternoon and asked if they wanted to rap battle.

The Charlton Police Department issued a community notice on their Facebook page Monday morning, notifying the public of what they called suspicious behavior. They said a black SUV with 2-3 men inside pulled up to the boys around 3 p.m. Saturday.

"One of the males, with brown hair and a pale complexion, wearing a gray T-shirt, gray pants and open-toed sandals, exited the vehicle and started rapping while the other occupants of the vehicle began asking they boys if they wanted to "spit some bars" (Rap lingo) with them," read the notice.

The boys declined, and the SUV sped off. Police said the boys were frightened, though the odd and suspicious behavior did not constitute an attempted abduction.

In a comment on the original post and in response to several comments from Facebook users questioning the meaning of the strange warning, the department clarified their aim in posting the notice.

"The purpose of the post was to notify the community that we were contacted by parents because their children were approach on the street by several older individuals," wrote the department.

"We are were not investigating Rap music being sung in Charlton, and just posted the facts regarding the manner these older individuals used when approaching these children."

The department said they routinely encourage the public to report suspicious activity to them, and that they would return the favor, "even if it means we will be ridiculed for doing so."
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.