Vancouver police are investigating an attempted child abduction in South Vancouver on Tuesday and are appealing for help in identifying the suspect.
At about 3:20 p.m., a 12-year-old girl was walking home from school in the area of East 50th Avenue and Fraser Street when she was approached by a red minivan. Police said the driver got out of the van and asked the girl if she wanted to come with him. She said no and ran back to her school where she alerted school administration.
“This young girl did the right thing by not engaging with the man and then getting to a place of safety,” said Const. Tania Visintin, VPD media relations officer. “We commend her for her bravery as this was a terrifying situation.”
The suspect is described as white man in his mid-50s. He has a place complexion and is about 5’10” tall with a medium build. He has white hair, facial hair and yellow teeth, and was wearing a grey T-shirt and blue jeans.
Police Wednesday released a photo of a red minivan with tinted windows and a red work ladder attached to the roof. The van is believed to have been in the area close to the time of the offence and police are looking to speak to the driver of the van or to anyone who may have information about the van.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-0603 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
