Riverside County Sheriff's Department received a report at about 7 a.m. Thursday, January 19, that a masked man driving a newer white full-size Chevrolet van had been spotted by several parents and children waiting for a bus to Canyon Lake Middle School.

According to an article at pe.com, Lt. Charlie Wilhite from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department stated that because of the mask and the fact that he was seen at at least two bus stops, deputies were concerned he could be following the bus.

It didn't take long for parents to start posting their concerns on Facebook. After seeing one of the posts on a parent's FB page, The Friday Flyer reposted it on its own FB page, which prompted a flurry of comments from other concerned parents.

The original parent's post stated that her child "just informed me about the creep in the Lake who drives a white van, no windows in the back and wears a ski mask. He lurks around the school bus stops. Clearly must be someone who lives in here or has a pass to get in the gate everyday, but regardless, he is in the WRONG community and WONT last long!"

Other posts followed, a few of which are shown here (without the writers' names):

• "Yes he was at our bus stop off Windward this a.m. He followed the bus to two different stops so the bus driver called 911."

• "The school informed the students and POA security and Sheriffs followed the buses home and kids walking home from the bus stop. He was driving a white van with some sort of ski mask on. But all are aware.

• "As a tight community that is all we can do – keep each other posted and take care of each other . . ."

• "Patrol is always behind the bus (which is great) but what about when our kids are waiting at the bus stops!?! We need designated volunteers like our school cross-walkers ;) What do u all think?"

• "With all the sightings of this guy and all the people claiming to have seen the van they must know who this is. It sounds like everybody and their brother, uncle and cousin saw this guy in the last couple days and I would certainly think somebody jotted down his license plate? I sure hope so."

• "My daughter saw the van too and said there is no plates on the van. He is also wearing a ninja outfit so they can't see what he looks like. I told my daughter to call the police. She is so scared now. Our Security in Canyon Lake needs to be strong and safer. It's gonna take an abduction to really get things going – that'll be sad and too late."

What could be interpreted as humor began after someone referenced her "pretty Christmas present AR-15," with another post announcing, "I'll take him out for y'all – and I got a big Jeep. I'll take him off the road." The post concluded, "P.S. we are only kidding, don't come arrest us."

After all the conversation about license plate numbers, parents agreeing to keep an eye out, and questions about the security camera footage and records of people entering the gate, The Friday Flyer asked Police Chief John Hill Monday morning what the Sheriffs had learned.