Update: September 5, 2015  |  September 8, 2015

Vancouver Police are continuing to investigate the attempted abduction of an eight-year-old girl, resulting in a large police presence in and around Stanley Park.

At about 8:30 a.m., the girl was approached from behind by a man at the north foot of Denman Street near the seawall. He grabbed her and attempted to drag her away, but was quickly confronted by the child’s parents. The man ran off and was last seen in the area of the pedestrian underpass to Lost Lagoon.

Police flooded into the area, stationed officers at the entrances and exits to the park and conducted a search for the suspect. K9 officers, the VPD Mounted Unit, along with Park Rangers and park staff, all assisted in the search of the man who was described as white, with a slim build, dirty-looking, and wearing green clothing. No arrests have been made.

While shaken by the incident, the girl was not physically hurt. The scene has been processed and evidence has been collected, including potential DNA.

The VPD Sex Crimes Unit has several investigators assigned to the case. They will continue to identify and speak with witnesses, attempt to develop a composite sketch from them, and will canvass for any potential video that may identify a person of interest.