Man followed, grabbed young girl’s hand before bystander stepped in: police

A Winnipeg Police Service cruiser is shown in an undated file image. (CTV News Winnipeg)

Winnipeg police are investigating an attempted child abduction in River Heights.

Police say the incident happened around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when two girls, ages eight and 10, were walking to school together around Beaverbrook and Centennial streets.

Officers say an unknown man began to follow them and grabbed one of their hands.

He only let go when an adult in the area saw what was happening and stepped in. Police said the man then ran away.

Both girls got to school safely and reported the incident to an adult.

No injuries were reported, police say.

The suspect is described as a man in his 30s who is six-feet-tall with a thin build and thin blonde hair. He was wearing a tan beach hat with a large brim and sunglasses, a tank top, and tropical shorts.

Anyone with information or who has video surveillance is asked to contact the child abuse unit at 204-986-3296 or Crime Stoppers.