Boy alerts police after sister, 5, ‘led away’

Man, 37, faces abduction charges after quick-thinking brother raises alarm

City police are praising a young boy for his quick thinking after a man allegedly abducted his five-year-old sister during a bike ride over the weekend.

A 37-year-old man faces child abduction charges after being arrested following the Aug. 12 incident, police said Tuesday.

Police say the preteen boy and his five-year-old sister were riding bikes near 157 Street and 99 Avenue Saturday, near Meadowlark Christian School, when the girl was approached by a man she did not know.

The man allegedly “took hold of the girl’s handlebars and led her away from the area on foot,” police said, adding the boy ran to a family member’s home nearby to warn them about the abduction. Police arrested the man in the area shortly after.

Det. Manuel Illner with the EPS Child Protection Section praised the brother for acting quickly.

“This young man followed his instincts and certainly did the right thing by running home and notifying family members immediately,” Illner said.

“I encourage all parents to talk to their children about what to do in the event they are approached by a stranger.”

Dusty Greg Chalifoux has been charged with abducting a child under 14 years of age and breaching recognizance. Police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Edmonton police or Crime Stoppers.

According to court records, Chalifoux was to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges of unlawful harassment, which allegedly occurred between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 2016, and two counts of sexual assault, which allegedly occurred last October and November.