Police in Nanaimo are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly attempted to grab an 11-year-old girl on the weekend.
According to an RCMP press release, the incident happened Sunday at about 3:30 p.m. as the girl was walking through a park near Camcrest Drive in Nanaimo’s Diver Lake neighbourhood.
The girl told police she was walking along a trail connecting Sheffield Place to Camcrest Park when she heard someone approaching from behind. She turned and saw an older man and as he passed, he attempted to grab her. She managed to avoid his grasp and ran off though the park and to a nearby residence.
She was not injured and last saw the suspect turning left onto Goldfinch Crescent.
There was a 30-minute time delay reporting the incident to police, but a number of officers responded to the area along with a police services dog.
Extensive patrols of the surrounding area were carried out, but the dog could not establish a track and the suspect was not located.
The suspect was described as white, possibly 45-60 years old and was wearing dark clothing.
“The young girl did everything right by removing herself from the situation and telling an adult. Good on her for reacting the way she did,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, RCMP spokesman, in the press release.
The investigation is continuing and police will conduct a follow-up interview today (July 17) with the girl and her parents to see if more information can be gleaned to share with the public.
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