Ha-Shilth-Sa was getting reports via facebook about a stranger attempting to pick up a young girl walking along Hwy. 4 near the “Orange” bridge, or the bridge over the Somass River just west of Port Alberni.
According to Sgt. Dave Paddock of the Port Alberni RCMP, a report did come in on Feb. 15 about a 50-year-old man in a white truck stopping a 13-year-old girl along the highway asking if she needed a ride. The girl was not hitchhiking at the time, so the offer seemed suspicious.
Paddock said there was no physical force applied to the girl to get her into the truck.
RCMP investigated the claim, and made inquiries at Tseshaht Market to see if anyone noticed anything unusual. If anyone has further information about the incident, please feel free to call RCMP.
The girl did the right thing, declining the ride, said Paddock.
RCMP want people to be aware of the dangers of hitchhiking or accepting rides from strangers.
Parents are being encouraged to talk about these safety issues with their children.
