Update: January 10, 2020

Vancouver Police are investigating an attempted child abduction in South Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon and are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.

Yesterday at about 3:20 p.m., a 12-year-old girl was walking home from school in the area of 50th Avenue and Fraser Street when she was approached by a red minivan. The driver got out of the van and asked her if she wanted to come with him. She said no and ran back to her school where she alerted school administration.

“This young girl absolutely did the right thing by not engaging with the man and then getting to a place of safety,” says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. “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 pale 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 released a photo today 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 information is asked to call the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-0603 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.