Police investigating after middle schooler followed by strange van in Raleigh

The student had just finished shopping with friends when they were followed by a white van for more than two blocks.

The driver of the van then got out and chased the student. The student made it to a nearby church, where they met their parent, and the driver of the van got back in and drove away.

The student was not hurt, and police responded. There is no suspect in custody and police are asking students and parents to be extra aware.

A day before this occurred, a similar incident took place in Carrboro. Carrboro police chief Chris Atack tells WRAL that there is currently no connection between the two incidents, but that safety should be the priority for parents and students, regardless.

Atack says it starts with a conversation between parents and their children.

"The kids, it sounds like, in both of these instances made the correct decisions," Atack said. "Removed themselves from the situation and then reported it to a parent."

The chief says that making children aware of the dangers can help them respond more appropriately.

"The way to prevent tragedies in these kind of situations is to empower the kids," he said. "They have a good set of tools to make safe decisions as they go about their life."

Atack says three steps can help improve your child's safety levels.

-Practice walking with your child to and from school in order to show them the safest way

-Avoid shortcuts through woods or alleyways

-If a stranger approaches you, tell a trusted adult

The vehicle in question for the Carrboro incident is a silver sedan.