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Mother, 2 Children Confronted By Man Outside Children's Museum

By Walt Hunter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A shaken mother of two young children says she wants to sound a warning about a stranger, believed to be an "aggressive panhandler" who confronted them on the front steps of the "Please Touch Museum" in Fairmount Park Thursday morning.

The mother, who asked we conceal her identity, told CBS 3's Walt Hunter she was reading to her six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son on the Museum steps, only a few feet from the front door, when the man suddenly approached, began screaming and waving his hands, demanding money.

After quickly getting her children inside, the mother notified Museum officials, who, along with police, responded immediately, searching for the man who disappeared.

16th District Captain Pat Agozzino says the department takes this incident, and all types of aggressive panhandling very seriously, and he urged anyone victimized to call police immediately.

Fortunately the mother says neither she nor her children was hurt.

Officials at the "Please Touch Museum" issued a statement that reads in part,"Over the past few weeks,an aggressive panhandler has been seen in the Fairmount Park area. Information about this man has been reported to the Philadelphia Police Department on several occasions within this time period. On August 14,2014, the man was reportedly seen in the area around "Please Touch Museum". Museum Security was made aware and immediately notified the Philadelphia Police Department."

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