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VALPARAISO — Police say an elderly man who touched off a community alert Tuesday after asking questions about picking up children outside the local Montessori School came forward and explained that he was just curious about the process.

Police said they ended their investigation after talking with the man, but lauded the public's response in the case.

"Although nothing came of this incident, this is exactly the type of suspicious incident that should be reported," according to Valparaiso police Sgt. Michael Grennes.

"Police would like to thank the individual who reported the incident and encourage others to report suspicious incidents if they are observed," he said.

Police had said the man approached the Montessori School at 505 Marquette St. shortly before 3 p.m. Monday and asked about the procedures for picking up a child. He then drove away a short time later in a van with out-of-state license plates without picking up any students.

Police said they increased patrols in the area of the school.

The man in question reportedly read about the alert in the newspaper and contacted police.

"Police met with the subject and learned that he was at a nearby business and observed the long line of vehicles picking up students," Grennes said. "He explained being curious of the procedures."

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