Incident near school not attempted abduction: police

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This article was published 04/02/2025 (417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police say they have determined a reported incident involving two young girls near J.B. Mitchell School was not an abduction attempt.

“Investigators identified the male, and after further investigation and gathering additional details, it was determined that although this behaviour was concerning, it is not believed to be an attempted child abduction,” the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday.

“No charges have been laid.”

The bizarre incident, in which the man was reportedly wearing beach clothing despite freezing temperatures, happened in the area of Beaverbrook Street and Centennial Street in River Heights at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The suspect was described as in his 30s, 6 feet in height, and wearing a tan beach hat with a large brim, sunglasses, a tank top and tropical shorts.

The WPS said Friday that two girls, ages 8 and 10, were walking to the school together when an unknown male began to follow them and took hold of one of their hands. An adult witnessed the incident and intervened, and the male let go of the girl’s hand and fled the area, police said previously.

The girls continued to the school and reported the incident to an adult. The school contacted police, and a letter was sent to parents about the incident later that day. There was enhanced supervision from police and staff members at the school “out of an abundance of caution,” Winnipeg School Division Supt. Matt Henderson said Friday.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca