NANAIMO - Vancouver Island Newsmedia Group
Police in Nanaimo have issued a public warning after a receiving a report that two men tried to lure a 12-year-old boy into a van.Nanaimo RCMP say the incident occurred about 1:30 p.m. Friday when the boy was walking south along Hammond Bay Road near Entwhistle Drive.The van pulled up beside the boy and the rear sliding door opened. One of the men yelled at the boy to help him look for something.Instead, the boy turned and ran toward his elementary school.As he fled, the driver of the van made a U-turn and went north along Hammond Bay Road.The boy reported the incident to an adult at the school."The youth was extremely bothered by the interaction. He also did everything we ask children to do when confronted with uncomfortable situations and should be commended for his actions," said Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O'Brien in a release to media.Police responded but were unable to locate the van.The men were described as white, middle-aged and heavyset. They were said to be driving a green, older model GMC Safari van.Police ask that anyone with information on the suspects or the vehicle contact the RCMP nonemergency line at 250-754-2345 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).Port Alberni postal carrier saves tot Karla Laws was in the right place at the right time last week.Last week, the Canada Post letter carrier of 11 years was delivering on a route that she had only been working on for three months."I was delivering mail on a regular route and came out a back alley when I saw a toddler running across the road," she said.Concerned, Laws picked up the pace and ran out to see if there were any parents around. Seeingno one, she yelled out to the young boy, who was running and laughingdown the road."I called out to a neighbour who was walking down the road, who helped me track him down, and then called 911," Laws said.At the same time, the boy's parents were frantic and, when they noticed he was missing, called the police and headed in the opposite direction to the park."I held on to him and entertained him until the police came and they had gotten the call from his parents, so they knew where he belonged," she said. "It turned out they just moved onto my route.Their puppy had chewed the safety handles off the door and the boy let himself and the puppies out."By the time Laws continued her route and made it to their home, she saw the family, complete with their two-year-old boy and dogs, reunited."It was good timing," Laws said. "I am just thankful that I was there at the right time."