Niagara police search for man who tried to drag 12-year-old boy from pool change room

UPDATE: Police said they have identified the man in the photo and have interviewed him after a “substantial and immediate” response from the public. The investigation is ongoing and police said no one has been charged with a crime.

Police in Niagara Region are searching for a man after someone tried to grab a 12-year-old boy by the arm and drag him from a community pool change room.

Niagara Regional police responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Thorold Community Pool at 111 Richmond Street in Thorold, Ont. at around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said the boy left the swimming pool and entered the men’s change room, when he was approached by an older man who asked him to help him get something out of his car.

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The boy then refused, which is when police said the man “yelled” for the boy to go to his car and then grabbed him by the arm and attempted to drag him to the parking lot.

Police said the boy was able to break free and notified his family and pool staff who then contacted authorities.

The suspect is described by police as a white male aged 50 to 60 years old, standing 5’11”, weighing 200 pounds, with short grey and white hair, tattoos on both forearms, wearing glasses, a dark T-shirt, black pants and sandals.

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Police said the man left the area in a dark grey four-door sedan with five-spoke rims and a sunroof, which they described as similar to a newer model Honda Accord.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Niagara Regional Police, #1 District at 905-688-4111 extension 4233 and ask to speak with the detectives’ office.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.