Correction: RCMP initally said the girl had been kidnapped on a different road. They sent out a press release correcting their error. This story reflects the updated details.
Manitoba RCMP say a girl is safe after she was abducted while walking her dog Sunday.
The girl, 16, was walking her dog on Ste Anne’s Road southeast of Landmark, Man. at about 7 a.m. when a man drove his black pick-up truck beside her and offered her a ride. When she said no, he jumped out of the truck and forced her into it.
The driver continued to Road 45 N. about 2.5 KM away and the truck began to slow, said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “I think it was getting stuck, on a mud road as it might, I guess, being wet the last few days.”
LISTEN: Sgt. Paul Manaigre speaks to Global News Radio 680 CJOB about the abduction.
At this point, the teen managed to jump out of the truck and run to a nearby house. She suffered minor injuries, said police.
“It’s a traumatic experience for her,” said Manaigre. “Almost in a state of shock.”
Manitoba RCMP were called and detachments from Steinbach, St-Pierre-Jolys and the Police Dog Services unit responded, but weren’t able to find the man or the truck.
“The suspect is described as a clean-cut, 18-22-year-old male, approximately 5’8” with a medium build. He has a light-brown complexion, short black hair, and a round face,” said RCMP.
The truck is a black, older model 4-door pickup, with a dusty exterior and may have been repainted. The victim did not get the licence plate number.
“The dog, apparently, tried to intervene, I don’t know if it was by attacking or just trying to get in the way, she apparently may have pushed it away,” said Manaigre. The dog managed to run home and was not hurt.
“This is an extremely serious situation but we want to reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to track down the suspect.
“We are asking anyone who may have noticed a suspicious vehicle and driver in the area that matches the description provided to immediately contact police.”
This isn’t a typical crime for rural Manitoba, he added.
“In my 23 years of policing, I believe this is the first time I’ve come across this type of complaint.”
Major Crime Services are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information should call the St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP at 204-433-7433, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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