NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
Update:
Officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have now identified the involved male driving the van in this occurrence and have come to the conclusion that this incident was a misunderstanding.
Officers were investigating a report of a youth being approached by an unknown male in a van in Collingwood which took place on Tuesday and have since been in contact with the driver of the van and have found that there was no malicious intent or criminality involved.
OPP would like to thank our media partners for their assistance as the media coverage led to the identification of the driver.
Original story:
Officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently investigating an incident where a youth was approached by an unknown male in a van in Collingwood.
The incident took place on Tuesday Sept. 15, 2020 at approximately 3:45 p,m. on Collins Street near Katherine Street in Collingwood where a youth was approached by a van driven by an unknown male who claimed to be a teacher and was offering him a ride home. The youth declined the offer and the male drove away.
The driver of the van is described as a white male, approximately 60 years old, salt and pepper hair with thin facial features and was wearing glasses.
The van is described as an older green-coloured minivan with a two post type of bike rack on the rear door.
OPP are asking that anyone with information on this incident to contact Collingwood/The Blue Mountains OPP at (705) 445-4321 or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com or if you have any information on this crime or any other crime.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2000. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka or Grey-Bruce on Twitter or Facebook.
'Street Proofing' means more than not talking to strangers, for more information on the topic please go to our website at www.opp.ca and query 'street proofing.'
*************************
