The Regina Police Service is investigating what may have been a potential abduction attempt after an event that occurred in the Harbour Landing neighbourhood yesterday evening. NOTE: no one was physically harmed in this incident and the suspect’s motives are unclear.
On Friday, April 2, 2021, at approximately 8:45 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to Harbour Landing to speak with a 22 year-old female who reported having been approached by a suspicious male. The encounter is believed to have occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. in a park off the 4800 block of James Hill Road. The adult female victim was walking with two young children, ages 2 and 8, when she was approached by a male who walked alongside the group and struck up a conversation with the woman. She reports becoming concerned when the male’s questions became increasingly personal. At one point, the male picked up the two yearold, prompting the female to pull the child from his arms. In spite of her efforts to dissuade him, he continued to walk with the eight year-old. At that point, other people noted the woman’s distress and intervened. The female yelled for the eight year-old to return to her. The eight-year old returned to the female and the male continued walking away heading west bound in the park.
Although no one was physically harmed in this incident, the female victim was very concerned for the safety of the children with her. It may well be that this male had no criminal intentions, but police would like to learn more about this event if possible. And the Regina Police Service wants to make the community aware of this event. At best, it was a frightening experience for the woman and the children with her; at worst, it may have been an overture to an abduction.
This incident is under investigation. The suspect male is described as approximately 20-30 years old, between 5’11’’ and 6’0’’ feet tall, with a thin build. He is described as having a dark complexion, brown eyes, and a short scruffy beard. The male was wearing a black hoodie pulled up over his head, black sweatpants and black shoes. The female victim said the male spoke with an accent, but she could not be more specific.
Anyone who has information that could assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The Regina Police Service thanks the public and the media for their assistance in this matter.
