Police in Nanaimo believe one man might be responsible for several incidents in which teenage girls were approached and offered rides or followed.
Several incidents have been reported since May 17, when a 14-year-old girl walking on Jingle Pot Road from the Nanaimo Parkway was asked by a man in his 30s, driving a pickup truck, if she wanted a ride.
The man got out of the truck and followed her while trying to convince her to go with him. When the girl called an adult on her cellphone, the man got back in his truck and drove off.
The suspect was described as 5’10” to 6′ tall with light stubble on his face and driving an older model extended cab Chevrolet pickup.
Another girl, 12, was followed on Eighth Street June 4, at 1:10 p.m. by a male driving a truck. He never spoke to the girl, but continued following her until Georgia Avenue.
He was described as Caucasian, 50, with short grey hair and possibly a beard. The truck was a newer model, black with a silver stripe down the side.
Twenty minutes later, a 14-year-old girl was resting on the front lawn of her home near Nanaimo District Secondary School when she was approached by a 40-year old male in an older black pickup truck. The driver asked if she wanted to go to the beach with him and when she said no, he drove away.
Nanaimo RCMP believe the same male was involved in each incident and are concerned about his intentions.
People are reminded to be vigilant when walking alone and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Anyone is approached by the suspect should try to obtain a licence plate of the vehicle – even several numbers or letters can be useful – and if possible, take a picture of the vehicle with a cellphone.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.
