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Updated Feb. 13, 2020. 12:20 p.m.
The man involved in a suspicious interaction with children waiting for the bus in Oliver on Feb. 12 has come forward and police are saying the “man’s intentions were not criminal in nature.”
RCMP stated through a press release that the older male who allegedly approached children in a vehicle and asked if they wanted to see his puppy has been identified. A parent “hollered at the children to come back to the house and the man drove away,” RCMP said.
“Police are satisfied through discussions with all those involved that the man’s intentions were not criminal in nature,” the press release states.
Bayda confirmed that the man did have a puppy.
“The man knows the other kids at the bus stop and was speaking to them, showing them his new puppy when he simply offered the other kids to see it since they were showing interest.”
Bayda said it appears the man didn’t even know a parent had called out to the children, and simply drove away when he was finished speaking to the youth.
“Again, we are confident nothing nefarious took place and the matter was completely innocent.”
• Read more: RCMP seek answers after man approaches children waiting for bus in Oliver
“Oliver RCMP would like to thank the man for his courage to come forward and help set the minds of parents in the community at ease”, said Sgt Jason Bayda. “RCMP also wish to commend the children for their courage to do the right thing and the complainant for reporting the circumstances to police”.
