Police have arrested a 31-year-old man who allegedly posed as an officer while trying to arrest an 11-year-old girl.

The suspect approached a group of kids in the area of Boyd Avenue and Powers Street on Friday at about 9 p.m., pretending to be a police officer. He singled out an 11-year-old girl, put her arms behind her back and attempted to arrest her, police said.

The girl started screaming and neighbours in the area took notice.

Police were called to the scene where they arrested the man.

“He was not wearing a police uniform and I'm not aware of him having handcuffs,” police spokesperson Const. Jason Michalyshen said Sunday. “And those kids had their concerns about this individual.”

Damian John Abraham has been charged with attempted abduction of a person under 14, assault, impersonating a peace officer and failure to comply with a recognizance for his alleged involvement.

The suspect remains in custody.