Manitoba RCMP say man in white van tried to abduct a child

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Manitoba RCMP officers are searching for a suspect who they allege tried abducting a child in Split Lake, Man., on Wednesday morning.

Mounties said an 8-year-old girl was on her way to school when an unknown man driving a white van offered her a ride. The girl managed to get away and make it to school with no physical injuries.

RCMP said officers got a call about the incident around 10 a.m. and immediately began to patrol the area; however, the suspect has not been found.

The victim described the suspect to police as a man – the age was unknown – with short white hair, who was wearing a light grey jacket. Other witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a partially dirty white van that was spotted numerous times driving by the TCN Gas Bar.

Residents in the area who have a camera at their home or a dashcam on their vehicle are asked to call RCMP at 204-778-3050 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.