Police are investigating after a man has been seen approaching children in the north end of St. Catharines.
The incidents happened yesterday (Monday) at 4pm and today (Tuesday) at 8:30am and both involved young girls.
Yesterday afternoon a 14 year old girl delivering papers was approached in the area of Heywood Avenue and Clover Street by a man in a red pick-up truck.
At one point the red pick-up truck pulled beside the girl and the driver attempted to speak with her.
She says she ignored the driver, then he drove up the street and parked.
He then appeared to watch her.
The red pick-up truck then left the area with no further contact with the girl.
It was last seen turning onto Niagara Street.
This morning a 13 year old girl reported a man walking behind her in the area of Lakeshore Road and Eastfield Court.
The girl reported to police that she heard the man utter a threat to her safety.
As she walked faster to leave the area she heard keys jingling.
The girl looked back and saw a red pick-up truck running and the man could no longer be seen.
The NRPS is investigating both incidents and believe the same man may be involved. The man is described as white, 20-30 years old, with brown short hair, he was wearing grey sweat shirt, and blue baggy jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives from the 1 District - St. Catharines Criminal Investigation Branch or call Crime Stoppers of Niagara.
Stranger Safety Tips
- Close supervision of children is paramount, especially children such as preschoolers who may be unable to identify threatening situations.
- Talk to your kids about "what if" situations.
- Consider role playing how to react and what to do should be considered.
- Practice the potential dialogue for them in good and bad situations.
- Remind children adults should/would not ask a child for help without speaking to their parents.
- Talk to children about what a safe stranger might be. E.g.. Police, Firefighter, Paramedic
- Teach children to seek out and move to safety if they feel threatened.
- Talk to children about their instincts and how important they are, and when in doubt seek out an adult they trust.