(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) On Friday afternoon April 06, 2016, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a parent in Mitchell reporting that her young teenage daughter had been offered a ride to school by an unknown male.
Investigation revealed that on Friday around 8:20 a.m. the girl was walking by herself north bound on Nelson St. approaching Victoria St. in Mitchell. She observed a west bound car on Victoria St. approach the Nelson St. intersection. The male driver of the car asked her if she wanted a ride, as she was going to be late for school. He told her that he had just gotten off the phone with her father. The girl refused and continued walking to school. She observed the car drive northbound on Nelson St. and turn east on Ontario Rd. (Hwy 8).
After school the girl observed the same vehicle pass her as she was walking southbound on St. Andrew St. near Waterloo St. The vehicle drove around the block and returned to St. Andrew St. where it sat facing north bound along the east side of the road. A short time later the vehicle passed her as she walked westbound on Huron Rd. She last saw it turn southbound onto Nelson St.
Suspect description:
Caucasian male 30-40 years old regular build
Had no accent as he spoke
Wore a light shirt
Black curly, poufy hair
Had black wrap-around sunglasses
Vehicle description:
A clean black older model four door car with a silver strip near the doors
Had tinted windows
The male was alone in the vehicle
The Perth County OPP requests the public assistance in identifying the male and the vehicle involved in this incident. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Perth County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The Perth County OPP wants to remind our communities about “Stranger Safety”. It is very important to teach our children how to react if someone tries to take them or lure them into a vehicle.
Education is the key and there are several discussions parents can have with their children regarding stranger awareness. One key element is to reinforce that children should never accept rides from strangers.
One common tactic of child abductors is to lure children into a car using a fake story, such as telling kids they were sent by their parents who have been hurt in an accident. By establishing a “secret code word” system with your children, parents can better protect their loved ones.
One of the single most important factors to remember when teaching your children about stranger danger is to instil confidence, rather than fear.
Openly discuss “Stranger Safety” as a family to ensure everyone’s safety.
For other useful information please visit the OPP website at www.opp.ca.