DELTA Police on Friday alerted parents in the North Delta area about a suspicious incident that occurred on Thursday, November 19, after school, in the area of Gray Elementary school on 82nd Avenue.

A young girl reported to her father that she had been followed home after school by an unknown man driving a minivan. The girl reported that she had made eye contact with the driver, who had smiled at her. The girl ignored the driver and continued walking home when she noticed the van was following her at a slow pace. According to the child, the driver then pulled up beside the girl and asked her if she wanted a ride home.

“Fortunately the girl made an excellent decision by saying ‘No’ and then running away,” said Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for Delta Police. “She then ran home, and her father called 9-1-1. That quick action allowed police to begin their investigation immediately.”

The driver in this incident is described as a white man in his mid to late 30s, with a bald head and a dark brown mustache and brown eyes.

“Police are canvassing the area and ask that anyone who might have dashcam or video footage in the area of 82nd Avenue from 112th Street to 114th Street on November 19, between 3 and 3:30 p.m., to contact police at 604-946-4411,” said Leykauf.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children who are walking to and from school about the importance of being aware of their surroundings. If possible, children should try and walk with others and carry a phone if they have one. If anything suspicious occurs, they are asked to notify their parents, police or teachers as soon as possible.