Police investigating possible child-luring incident in Armstrong

Police are investigating several reports of possible child luring incidents in the North Okanagan after a man reportedly approached two children in Armstrong Tuesday afternoon.

North Okanagan RCMP received a complaint of a child-luring incident at 4 p.m., when two middle school students were asked if they wanted a ride home, said Const. Kelly Brett.

The children were walking along Otter Lake Road near the MacDonald Road intersection, when the male driver offered them a ride.

Police were unable to locate the vehicle or the man in question.

The driver was described as an older Caucasian man with grey hair and sunglasses, wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans, driving a white pickup truck.

The truck was described as an older Chevrolet Silverado with Z-71 on the rear passenger panel and the word Chevrolet on the rear window.

Witness reports also suggest there was a black pickup truck behind the white truck at the time and may have witnessed the event.

North Okanagan RCMP would like to speak to the driver of the black truck, said Brett.

“At this time, our investigators are aware of the recent reports of similar incidents and are examining all of the information and continue to seek the public’s assistance,” she said. “Our communities should be mindful of these incidents and we ask that anything felt to be suspicious in nature be reported to the police right away.”

Mounties are asking the driver to contact Armstrong RCMP to clarify his actions.

“The children’s actions in this situation are commended, as they declined to speak to the male,” said Brett. “RCMP are reminding parents to discuss personal awareness and safety strategies with their children.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at 250-5463028 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 to remain anonymous.