By Nigel Maxwell

Alleged child abduction did not happen: Shellbrook RCMP

Aug 28, 2018 | 12:55 PM

Police in Shellbrook are encouraging residents to be more careful when posting on social media, following a reported child abduction last weekend in the community that turned out to be a false alarm.

On Saturday, RCMP received a complaint that an 11-year-old girl had been approached by an older man at a business in Shellbrook. A 61-year-old man was soon after identified as a suspect. The police investigation later revealed, with the help of surveillance camera video, that the man was not even at the business at the time of the alleged incident. The complainant also later confirmed there had been a misunderstanding.

On Tuesday, the Shellbrook detatchment issued a press release to the media. RCMP Sgt. Kent Ashworth said police felt compelled to let the public know what truly happened.

“Just to clear the air a bit because it did hit social media,” he said.

Ashworth could not comment on what repercussions if any, the alleged suspect had suffered. He said in his experience this was the first incident of its kind he has dealt with, but added misunderstandings are not uncommon.

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“You know when a person enters a property for example and someone might think they are on my property to do bad stuff no, but they could be a salesperson or just need help,” he said.

Ashworth said it’s important for people to first report the incidents to police, and then allow police to do their job before posting anything on social media.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell