Sex predator accused of "trying to lure children" near Oakland Park community center arrested
MIAMI - A registered sexual predator, who was released from prison less than four months ago, was arrested after he was reportedly spotted talking to children near an Oakland Park community center.
"This is a serious situation. This is an important public safety alert," said Broward Sheriff's spokesman Carey Codd.
Sheriff's deputies were sent to the Collins Community Center, in the 3800 block of N.E. 3rd Avenue after a witness said that a man, identified as Fredrick Muller, appeared to be "talking to children, trying to lure the children to him."
"This is obviously deeply concerning. Deputies went there, they began an investigation, and it does not appear thankfully that any children went with this man or to this man," said Codd.
However detectives believe there may be children out there who did come into contact with him. The park is about a mile away from Oakland Park Elementary School, which is why detectives are urging parents to speak to their children.
Investigators said it happened last Thursday right around the time children had been dismissed for the day from the school.
"The bottom line is parents need to have real conversations with their kids about stranger danger and about these types of situations," said Carey Codd.
Florida prison records show that Muller was convicted in Broward County of lewd and lascivious battery on a person aged 12 to 15 and he was released from prison on June 27.
New charges against him include failure to register as a sex offender.
He is being held in the Broward County Jail on a $10,500 bond.
