Overly suspicious minds

COEUR d'ALENE — Even people just doing their jobs are not above suspicion.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department was notified Monday of several social media posts involving a white van driving through neighborhoods, possibly taking packages from residences.

"Although we were aware of the social media posts, the police department didn’t receive any package theft reports," a police press release said.

Someone aware of the social media posts saw the van Wednesday, believed the driver was stealing packages and contacted police. Officers then contacted the homeowner where the theft was believed to have occurred.

The homeowner confirmed the van driver was simply delivering a package.

"Officers then located the van and contacted the driver who was delivering packages out of Spokane," the release said.

Another "suspicious incident" was reported July 25 to Post Falls police.

This one involved a possible child luring, a press release said.

An investigation turned up a video of the vehicle reportedly involved.

"The person in question was a City of Post Falls employee who was setting up for a T-ball event," the release said. "At the conclusion of the investigation, no criminal activity occurred."

Earlier this year in Coeur d'Alene, an alleged child enticement incident that gained steam on social media turned out to be a case of two men trying to be sure a child was OK.

"Still images and information from this incident had been spread on social media several hours before the police were notified, which missed significant context concerning the situation," a release said.

Coeur d'Alene police ask that anyone witnessing suspicious activity "please report it directly to the police department" and avoid spreading misinformation on social media.