Police continue to search for information regarding a suspicious van that reportedly offered a young girl a ride to school in Fruitvale on Tuesday.
Sgt. Mike Wicentowich of the Trail and Greater District RCMP issued a press release Wednesday after receiving a report that two people in a white van with tinted windows stopped and offered an 11-year-old girl, who was headed to Fruitvale Elementary School, a ride.
She declined and the incident was reported to police who put out a call for any information regarding the van.
“The matter is only considered suspicious at this time and the police would like to speak to the occupants to determine their motivation for offering a ride to the girl and if they knew the girl,” said Wicentowich in the Wednesday release.
On Thursday, Wicentowich offered up more details.
“We have followed up on a few tips but we have not yet located the van and occupants in question,” Wicentowich told the Trail Times in an email reply.
He added the young girl provided more details on the vehicle’s occupants and the van
• The van had black roof racks on top (like the kind to hold a ladder).
• There was no writing on the van.
• The male was in his late 30s or early 40s, wore a blue baseball hat, glasses, and freckles.
• The female had a blue baseball hat and glasses, around the same age as the male, with dirty blond hair.
Wicentowich also offered advice to parents on the issue.
“We ask parents to speak to their children about general safety protocol when walking to school and what to do if approached by strangers. We advise children walk in groups and look out for each other. Parents can escort kids to school as an added precaution.
“We have resource material at the detachment if any parent would like some reference material.
“The most important thing is to report the any incidents such as the one that occurred yesterday to a responsible adult and have them contact the police immediately. We will attend the area of the incident and conduct an investigation.”
Please contact the Trail and Greater District RCMP Detachment at 250-364-2566 if you have any information to provide about this incident.
