Child abduction attempt in Red Deer thwarted by witnesses: RCMP

A man has been charged with the attempted abduction of a child in Red Deer last week.

Police say a man approached a youth in the Oriole Park area on Saturday evening and offered them money to search for a lost cat.

Witnesses reported seeing the man’s vehicle circling the area multiple times before the interaction and intervened, and the man left the scene.

Mounties arrived and arrested a 38-year-old Red Deer man.

Police say a search of his vehicle revealed items that could be used to tie someone up.

“I’ve been a police officer for seven years, and I’ve never seen this happen,” Const. Cory Riggs told CTV News Edmonton. “I think it is quite an unusual story and without the bystander assisting, things would have gone a lot lot worse.” 

The man has been charged with abduction of a person under 14 and four counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The suspect remains in custody, and a court date has been scheduled for Aug. 2.