A criminal who went on a three-state crime spree that included rape and robbery was caught this week after an extensive manhunt.

Friday, January 21, 2000

A criminal who went on a three-state crime spree that included rape and robbery was caught this week after an extensive manhunt.

The number of people who are crazy enough to think that they can elude police after committing such heinous crimes is amazing. So, the news that another of these crazies was caught is reassuring.

But what is disturbing is that the man was caught in part because he stopped to ask two teenage girls directions during his travels.

What is shocking is that those teenagers got into his car.

Thoughts of what could have happened to those two girls should send a chill through every parent’s spine.

How did our teenagers get so comfortable with danger? It is easy to blame the ever-present violence on television and movies, as well as the increased sexual charge that seems to run through everything from teen TV to Brittney Spears videos.

And, both those suspects are probably part of the problem.

But perhaps parents need to turn that sharp eye inward as well. Maybe some of us trust that our teens know which decisions are the right ones – that they will examine every situation with an adult eye.

If you have a teenager, share this story with him or her and make sure he or she understands just how narrowly these girls escaped a tragedy. That talk could save your child’s life.