Police release photos in child luring investigation
Two 14-year-old girls approached by men in grey van near Rutherford Road on June 14; witness called 911.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edmonton police released photos of a suspect vehicle and a person of interest in an alleged child luring incident on June 14 in the city's southwest.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. near 18A Avenue S.W. and Rutherford Road S.W., when two 14-year-old girls reported being approached and followed by a group of males in a grey Chrysler Pacifica van with heavily tinted windows. The occupants, estimated at five to six males aged 30 to 40, shouted at the girls in an attempt to lure them into the vehicle while driving erratically with the side door open.
A nearby woman witnessed the girls' distress and called 911. The girls ran away and the van quickly fled the area. The van was later seen traveling northbound on Rutherford Road and near James Mowatt Trail and 17 Avenue.
Due to fear and panic, the girls were unable to provide detailed descriptions of the suspects. Parents say the experience has left the girls extremely distressed and frightened. Police have obtained CCTV images of the van but could not identify a license plate number. A second silver vehicle may also have been involved; police released a photo of a person of interest believed to be driving it.
Investigators ask anyone with information to call 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.