Reports of West Island abduction attempts false
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 5:20 PM ET
CBC News
Montrea Police Cmdr. Peter Lambrinakos says the children misinterpreted what was happening. (CBC)Montreal police say the reports of two attempted kidnappings in Pointe-Claire last month were unfounded.
The reports had created anxiety in Montreal's West Island.
In the first, a 12-year-old boy claimed a man in a red mini-van tried to grab him shortly after he got off his school bus on St-Louis Avenue at the corner of Marsh.
A 13-year old girl later reported that a man tried to grab her near the corner of Duke-of-Kent Avenue and Westbank Avenue. The man was also reported to be driving a red mini-van.
Police had previously reported that a third alleged kidnapping attempt in Dollard-des-Ormeaux was a false alarm.
"Following all the meetings that we did with the plaintiffs, with the parents, with witnesses and different investigation techniques that we use, we were able to conclude that the allegations of the attempted kidnappings are not founded, and they did not happen," said Cmdr. Peter Lambrinakos.
The children did not make up the stories but rather misinterpreted what was happening and were never under threat, Lambrinakos said.
"We want to assure the public that there is nobody going around our schools trying to kidnap our children in the West Island," Lambrinakos said.
Nonetheless, police said parents and children should remain vigilant.
They said children should inform parents of the route they will take to and from school as well as their expected hour of arrival.
As much as possible, police said, children should travel in groups.
Children should avoid talking to strangers and scream for help if they are in trouble, police said.
Finally, police said parents should tell their children to advise them or another responsible adult immediately if they witness any suspicious behaviour.
