Calgary police have released a composite sketch of a man they're looking for in the attempted abduction of a nine year old girl in Killarney.
They're reminding parents to talk with their kids and warn them about the danger.
Eyewitnesses to the crime had no idea of the seriousness of the incident on Tuesday evening. "I thought they knew each other," said a man who saw the suspect pick the girl up. "I thought a big brother fooling around and then he put her down and ran back and got in his car and drove off."
Two girls, aged nine and ten, were walking in Killarney on Tuesday evening when he tried to grab the younger child.
He picked her up, but she began kicking and screaming, causing him to let her go and flee the scene.
The girls ran home and police were called but when they arrived they found no trace of the suspect.
Duty inspector Keith Cain says the girls did the right thing. "She fought, she screamed, and she already other people to her danger. As a result, the offender was scared off."
Curtis Stewart, a neighbour in the region says he is alarmed. "It's definitely alarming. A quiet community here, lots of families, very disturbing."
Neighbours in the area are also looking at extra precautions. "We will go to parks – there are parks nearby – but we'll go in mass groups," says Joyce Huber.
Police are canvassing the area in an attempt to locate the suspect but haven't turned up any other leads.
"He's committed a very serious offence and we are going to be putting a lot of resources and effort into finding this person and find out what his intent was. He already faces very serious charges," said Cain.
Experts say that parents need to talk to their kids about the danger, but don't need to panic because stranger abductions are very rare.
Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist with Mount Royal University says that quick action by children is essential. "The best time to escape is at the time of the attempted abduction. Make noise, yell, scream, and get away."
Police continue to investigate the incident and talk to witnesses.
