A man has been arrested after attempting to lure children outside a candy store in Birch Bay, about 15 miles northwest of Bellingham.
The incident happened on June 24 around 7:30 p.m., when a man was reported trying to lure two young children into his vehicle near the C Shop candy store.
The man, identified as 53-year-old Corey Cardwell of Bellingham, walked up to the children and started a conversation. He offered them sweets and toys.
He allegedly asked them, “Do you never want to see your parents again?” He then grabbed a Frisbee from the trunk of his car, trying to lure the children closer.
The parent, who was watching in the store, came outside and told the man to leave the children alone.
Cardwell then entered the store and sat down alone next to three young girls.
He reportedly asked them, “Do you want money? I have money in the trunk.”
When he saw the parents of the two youngest children call 911, Cardwell said he was not a terrorist and fled in his vehicle toward Birch Bay State Park.
On June 25, detectives with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office contacted Cardwell. He denied all allegations, but showed investigators the Frisbees in his trunk.
The parent and another witness identified Cardwell as the man who tried to lure the children.
Cardwell was booked into the Whatcom County Jail without incident on five counts of luring.
