Prince Rupert RCMP look for man in seemingly random assault of 11-year-old

Prince Rupert RCMP are looking for a young man who appears to have randomly assaulted an 11-year-old girl on March 6.

Mounties say they were called at about 7 p.m. to the area of Drake Crescent in Prince Rupert. Upon arrival they were met at the scene by the parents of the girl who said their daughter had been playing at a friend’s house nearby. When she left she walked up Drake towards Prince Rupert Bouleveard, and near this intersection an unknown man had grabbed the girl and began to pull her into some bushes.

Police say it appears the suspect tripped and fell and the girl was able to run away.

Hearing the sound of a scream, the girl’s friends went to the area where the sound was coming from, and found their friend unharmed.

Given the concerning nature of what appears to be a random in incident, police are informing the community of this event and ask that they remain vigilant when out and about, said Cst. Matt Ericson, spokesman for the Prince Rupert RCMP. Currently the matter is under investigation, and we are asking the public to report any persons acting suspiciously around young people.

Police say the only description they have at this time is that the suspect is a young man who was wearing dark clothing and sunglasses.

As this investigation is ongoing, the Prince Rupert RCMP is asking anyone that may have information regarding this incident to contact the Prince Rupert RCMP Detachment at 250-627-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).