Police are warning parents and the public about a man who attempted to lure a child out of a daycare in Vancouver.
Vancouver police are releasing a composite sketch of the man who posed as a parent to try and get a five-year-old girl to come with him.
“This is a troubling case,” says Sgt. Steve Addison.
On Dec. 13 at about 3:30 p.m., a man knocked on the door of an after-school home daycare near East Hastings and Skein Street.
Police say the man spoke to a person at the daycare centre who was the daughter of the operator.
The man allegedly claimed to be the father of the five-year-old girl and said her name but the girl was not inside the building at the time.
He made a comment about calling the nanny and left without the child.
Daycare staff spoke to the girl’s parents and reported the incident to the police.
Addison says police have been investigating this case for more than three weeks but have not been able to identify the man.
“Who this man was is still a mystery, and the nature of the incident is a cause for concern,” he says.
Police have confirmed that the girl's parents did not come to pick her up that afternoon. They also confirmed that no one else should have been aware of the child-care arrangements.
“Our investigators have worked with the girl’s family and daycare staff, conducted extensive neighbourhood canvasses for witnesses and video, and spoken with other families who use the daycare,” says Addison.
An orange Porsche Macan was in the neighbourhood around the time of the incident. Police don't think it's linked to the incident but instead believe the person driving the vehicle might be able to help with the investigation.
The suspect is believed to be in his 30s and is described as a white man, six-foot-tall with a medium build. Police say he has facial stubble and was wearing a white toque with a white hooded sweatshirt when he went to the daycare.
Police say the man appeared "clean" and "stylish."
“With students heading back to school and daycares soon re-opening after the Christmas break, we’re notifying the public and taking additional steps to solve this case,” says Addison.
Anyone who recognizes the man or has information is asked to contact police at 604-717-0600.
