Lawrencetown boy thwarts possible abduction

WEST LAWRENCETOWN, NS – Parents and area residents in Lawrencetown are still in shock tonight over what is believed to be the abduction attempt of a young boy.

The 10-year-old boy was standing at a school bus stop around 7 o’clock this morning at the intersection of the Lawrencetown Road and Maple Drive. A truck went past him, circled at the Community Centre down the road and returned, parking at the Lawrencetown Grocery store across the street from the bus stop.

“The passenger jumped out and started waving at the boy to come to the truck,” said RCMP Corporal Greg Church. “The boy pretended to ignore him and then a few seconds later, the white male driver – believed to be in his twenties as well – got out of the truck and yelled at the boy to ‘come over and get in my truck’. That’s when the boy became extremely frightened and ran to a nearby home,” said Church.

The boy contacted his dad, who went to his school – Atlantic View Elementary – and told the principal what happened. The principal contacted the RCMP, then shared the news with parents.

“Parents have been alerted through through our voice messaging system and a letter is going home this afternoon,” said Jim King. “Stock Transportation – our bus carrier – we’ve alerted our drivers as well, to be on the lookout for this vehicle.”

The young boy gave what police say is an absolutely amazing description of the black half ton Chevrolet truck, thought to be a 2003 model. “He is a car and truck enthusiast,” said Cpl. Church. “It has a red painted gas cover cap that’s on the outside of the vehicle. Also, there’s a red painted pinstripe going down the side of the vehicle. On the top of the vehicle, he said there were five amber marking lights.”

Jim King said the boy knew what to do because teachers at Atlantic View Elementary work with the students in a program called ‘Stranger Danger’. “We have lots of conversations in class about what to do, if you’re feeling unsafe and also what to do in a situation like this, and thankfully he did the right thing,” said King.

The situation has upset families and other residents in the area. Bill Nielsen, the grandfather of a Grade 2 student said, “It’s a scary situation. My grandson’s here and I’m very concerned about him. He wasn’t approached today, but somebody was, and that’s frightening.”

Another man, who would only give his first name as Frank, said,”I’m shocked to hear it … and I hope they catch them – whoever they are.”

If you have any information you are asked to contact RCMP or CrimeStoppers. The investigation is continuing.