The Regina Police Service is investigating two incidents, reported today, that involve suspicious persons and vehicles near two Regina elementary schools. Today’s incidents appear to be unrelated, given the information received so far; however, one of the incidents may be related to an event from earlier this month, which has been under investigation since it was reported on October 4, 2012.
The information received in these cases is as follows:
1) On Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at approximately 12:00 p.m., an 11 year-old boy was walking from his school on Davin Crescent, in the Argyle Park neighbourhood, to his home on Sangster Boulevard. The student, who was walking eastbound, says a car passed him going east and then made a u-turn and approached him. The male driver of the vehicle rolled down the passenger side window and told the boy to get in the car. The child did not comply and ran home. He later reported the incident to a teacher at school, who contacted police. The car is described as a black, four-door Honda. The description of the driver is somewhat limited. He is described as male, Aboriginal, with brown or black hair in a long ponytail, wearing a black jacket and black gloves. The school has taken steps to advise other school families of this incident and encouraged parents and caregivers to review safety practices with their children. The School Resource Officer has notified a second school in the same area of this incident as a precaution. This incident is under investigation.
2) On Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at approximately 8:45 a.m., a 13 year-old girl was walking on her way from her house on the 600 block of Queen Street to school in the 4200 block of 4th Avenue. She was approached in an alley, south of 2nd Avenue, by a blue truck, driven by a male. The girl says the male spoke to her but she was not able to make out what he was saying. She ran to school and reported to school staff who contacted police. In the course of the investigation, the School Resource Officer learned that the girl had seen the same truck the day before but had not reported to anyone at that time. The vehicle is a blue truck, described as “not dark, but kind of dark with a bright tone”, newer-looking, with an extended cab, no window tinting and a 4X4 sticker on the rear fender. The driver is described as being a male in his late 30’s or early 40’s, darker complexion, possibly with a little facial hair, wearing a black jacket and black toque. The vice-principal of this school has taken steps to let other school families know of this incident and has encouraged parents and caregivers to review safety planning.
At this time, it does not appear that these two incidents are related; both are under investigation. The second incident described above bears some similarity to a report received on October 4, 2012, in which a 15 year-old female high school student reported that at about 8:05 a.m., she was followed to school by a blue truck, driven by an unknown male suspect. In this incident, the suspect is described as Caucasian, approximately 20 years old, with a heavier build and longer dark hair. This incident has been under investigation since it was reported to police. There have been no arrests yet in connection with this incident.
The Regina Police Service is asking anyone who may have information in these cases to contact the Regina Police Service at 777-6500 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. It is fortunate that the victims in all three of these incidents got themselves to safety and reported to a trusted adult. None of them were harmed; however, incidents such as these serve as a reminder that it is always a good idea to parents and caregivers to review personal safety for children who walk to and from school. School Resource Officers regularly reinforce these safety messages, as well as reminding students to tell a trusted adult if they see suspicious activity.
