By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Nanaimo RCMP investigating after man allegedly tries to grab 11-year-old girl

Jul 17, 2017 | 12:12 PM

NANAIMO — RCMP are searching for a man accused of trying to grab an 11-year-old girl. 

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the girl was walking along a trail near Camcrest Park on Sunday, July 16 when the man came up behind her. When he passed the little girl, the man allegedly tried to grab her but couldn’t hold on and the girl ran away to a house close by. 

“She did absolutely everything correct that we’re telling our youth to do,” O’Brien said. “She did what she had to do to remove herself from the situation, she ran away and she reported it to an adult. She did good work.” 

O’Brien said it’s unclear what the motive for the attempted grab was and investigators are following up with the little girl. 

Reports like this aren’t a regular occurance for Nanaimo RCMP, O’Brien said. 

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“However, what we’re finding now is a lot of the incidents are being handled correctly. The kids do what it takes to remove themself from the situation and they are telling an adult. That’s all we ask the kids to do.” 

RCMP said the suspect is a white man between 45 and 60-years-old who was wearing dark clothing at the time. He was last seen turning from the trail onto Goldfinch Cres.

If anyone has more information they’re urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers. 

island-news@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow