Surrey RCMP say they found no evidence of an alleged kidnapping attempt, following a report Thursday afternoon (Jan. 11) involving a youth in South Surrey.
According to a news release issued by the Mounties in an effort to correct information circulated online, the attempt was reported at approximately 1:45 p.m., after a youth went to a home in the area of 156 Street and 26 Avenue asking for help.
“The youth observed a vehicle, felt unsafe, and sought assistance at a nearby residence,” the release states.
While police say the teen “did the right thing” in seeking help, investigation – which included patrols of the area – determined there was no interaction between the driver of the vehicle in question and the teen, and found “no risk” to public safety.
This afternoon we received a report of an attempted kidnapping of a youth involving a vehicle in the area of 156th St & 26th Ave. Through investigative steps, we determined there was no interaction between the driver and the youth, and no evidence of an attempted kidnapping. 1/2
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) January 12, 2024
According to details in a post shared on the White Rock/South Surrey Community Facebook page, the incident involved a 16-year-old girl who was walking home from Earl Marriott Secondary when she “nearly got kidnapped by a man in a white van” near Sunnyside Park.
The van, driven by a man with “crazy” brown hair, reportedly “stopped and watched her and turned around to follow her,” the post continues.
With her phone battery dead, the teen rang the doorbell of a nearby townhouse, where occupants let her inside and called 911.
Police assurances aside, many commenters praised the girl for seeking help, and the home’s occupants for taking her seriously.
“Whether it was an attempted kidnapping or not the white van clearly freaked her out and she went with her gut instinct. Good for her!” writes one.
“I’m happy to see a community that will jump into action to protect women and girls – whether a danger real or perceived, since one cannot know for sure until… later,” notes another.
Some also referenced a Dec. 13, 2023 incident in Vancouver, in which a man allegedly posed as a parent and tried to lure a five-year-old from a daycare.
READ ALSO: Man poses as parent, tries to lure child from B.C. daycare: Police
Police have not said if they located the van in question in Thursday’s incident, but told Peace Arch News investigators “are not looking to speak to anyone else in relation to this incident.”