Police seek abduction suspect

Edmonton / City police are looking for a man who allegedly tried to abduct three young children, in one case by offering candy to a four-year-old girl and asking if she wanted to “go for a ride with Santa.”

Two of the incidents occurred within the past three weeks.

David Warren Buchanan, 67, is wanted on two charges of attempted abduction, and police say he may face additional charges.

Det. Dave Radmanovich said police have not been able to locate Buchanan, who is homeless and hasn’t been answering his cellphone.

“If Mr. Buchanan is watching this, at this time, we hope that wherever he is that he’ll turn himself in, either to Edmonton Police Service or to the local police service where he’s at,” Radmanovich said before television cameras on Tuesday.

A photograph released by police shows an obscured image of a man with a bushy saltand-pepper beard and moustache, wearing a bright red cowboy hat.

Police say Buchanan has also been known to wear a bright blue cowboy hat, and sometimes wears reading glasses. He has been seen driving a 2003 silver Chevrolet Impala or a 2011 blue Chrysler Town and Country van. Police say he is also believed to have been in Vermilion and Athabasca.

The alleged incidents have all taken place in the presence of other adults, but Radmanovich said police are concerned about what could happen if Buchanan approaches a child who is alone.

Anyone who has information about Buchanan’s whereabouts is asked to call police at (780) 423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.