Montreal police are investigating a kidnapping attempt that took place Wednesday morning in Pointe Claire.
A 13-year-old girl was on her way to school just after 9 a.m. when a man in a red minivan stopped at the corner of Westbank and Duke of Kent Aves. and offered her a ride to school.
The girl, who is a student at Felix Leclerc High School, refused the offer. The driver then grabbed her and tried to drag her into his vehicle.
She broke free and ran to school, and reported the incident to the principal.
The school administration immediately contacted police.
The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for shock and a minor injury to her arm.
Second incident
The incident is the second attempted abduction in the area in just over a week.
Last Tuesday, a 12-year-old boy who attends St. Thomas High School, was also approached by a man who grabbed his arm and tried to force him into a red minivan.
The student had just gotten off of his school bus at the corner of St. Louis and Marsh Aves., which is approximately four kilometres from the scene of Wednesday's attempt.
The boy fought the man off and ran home.
His parents called police and alerted the school.
A letter was sent home to parents describing the incident, and urging them to review safety precautions with their children.
Police step up patrols
Commander Jacquelin St. Pierre, who is responsible for police station 5 in Pointe Claire, said it is possible that the two cases are related.
"We don't know if it's the same guy, but we have the same description about age, about [the] car, about the colour of the car, and maybe it's the same suspect," said St. Pierre.
St. Pierre said the suspect is described as a white man in his 40s, who stands about 5'8" and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He was driving an older-model red minivan with rust on it.
Police are on high alert and have stepped up patrols in Pointe Claire and other surrounding West Island municipalities, St. Pierre added.
Parents concerned
Josee Noel De Tilly, the mother of a Felix Leclerc student, said she is among the many parents who are feeling nervous in the wake of the attempted abductions.
"I have a 14-year old that takes the bus and comes alone, so I'm concerned," she said.
