[UPDATE: 2 pm]
Powell River RCMP say they have dealt with the complaint and have determined there is no public safety threat. Corporal Todd Woon confirmed that the individual who police wanted to speak with about a suspicious incident earlier this week has come forward.
“He actually called us,” said Woon. “He saw the release that the school had done and contacted us. We’ve dealt with it and there’s no threat to the public.”
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Powell River RCMP are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a suspicious incident that happened near Brooks Secondary School.
According to the police’s media release, a 70-year-old man wearing an English-style driving hat and driving a motorhome approached a 15-year-old female walking on the side of the road near Timberlane Park at 12 pm on Monday, March 6.
The man offered the teen a ride; she declined, continued on her way and later reported the incident to her mother.
Police do not have a licence plate number for the vehicle but have been able to determine that it is a class C motorhome, one that has a sleeping compartment above the driver and passenger seats. It is white with a blue stripe.
Police are unable to say at this time whether the man poses a significant safety concern, but they would like to speak with him to determine his identity. Police concede it had been snowing that day and it is possible the man could have been honestly offering a ride.
The media release went out to all Powell River schools and parents are being asked to speak with their children about the importance of not speaking to strangers or accepting a ride or gift from anyone they do not know.
Police also ask drivers to refrain from offering rides to young people they do not know.
Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255.
