Penticton

An incident where a man offered to help three children across the street is being treated as suspicious.

On July 14, at approximately 6:30 p.m., an 8-year-old girl, her 9-year old brother and a 10-year-old friend (male) were walking on Government Street near Eckhardt Avenue in Penticton.

Sergeant Rick Dellebuur says as they approached the Eckhardt Avenue intersection, a man got out of his truck and approached the three youths.

“As he got close he said “hey, I will help you across the street,” and reached out to grab the girl's arm. She became frightened and ran across the street,” says Dellebuur.

He says a woman in a red mini-van yelled at the man to stop, at which time the man ran to his truck and drove off.

“The man is described as Caucasian with a tan, 40-years-old, 5'10", medium build, with short grey/black hair, wearing sunglasses, white t-shirt, white shorts with black polka dots.”

Dellebuur says the truck was an older white pick up with rust spots.

“The man also had a husky dog with him in the truck. Anyone with any further information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Penticton RCMP.”