Police investigating sudden abduction of local youth

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Strathmore RCMP are conducting an investigation to identify two suspects following the abduction of a female student on May 31.

According to Strathmore RCMP Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz, police were notified at approximately 6 p.m. that evening after a family member located the female student, after she had escaped her abductors. 

“The details that we have learned was that a young female student, after being dropped off from her school bus, was walking towards her residence when she encountered two males with a white pickup truck who forced her into the vehicle and took her to a residence,” said Wielgosz. “It was from that residence she was able to escape from the two males and make her way back towards her home. She was later found by a family member who had been out looking for her, which is when the police were called.”

An investigation into the two suspects is currently underway and the RCMP is seeking any information regarding the two individuals. 

One is described as a male with light coloured skin, clean shaven, long blonde hair and blue eyes, who was wearing a black toque and black Zoo York sweater.

The other, a male with light coloured skin, clean shaven who was wearing a white shirt and grey sweatpants.

The vehicle in question, which was used in the abduction, is described as a four-door white truck with a grey interior.

For the privacy and safety of the family, the victim will remain unidentified.

“Our members immediately responded and commenced an investigation of what occurred. The young female was taken to the Calgary Children’s Hospital as a precaution for medical examination and was later released that same day,” said Wielgosz. “We want to make sure that we are able to conduct the investigation and collect as much evidence as possible to determine exactly what happened and then to hold those responsible accountable for what happened.”

If the public has any information, call the local RCMP detachment to report what they might have, which will be passed on to the investigators.

If someone wishes to remain anonymous, they can submit information via Crimestoppers.

If a member of the public believes they have a sighting of a suspicious person, the RCMP’s recommendation is to not interact with the person and to instead observe what they are doing and make note of distinctive information.

“We have increased our presence within the community to provide those levels of reassurance to our residents that their police service is out on the road looking after the streets and trying to maximize public safety,” said Wielgosz who wished to remind parents to have those conversations with their kids regarding general safety practices, have a plan of where kids are going and to stay updated as to where they are.

If a child feels as though they are being followed, or they feel uncomfortable, get to a location that is well lit with lots of people such as a local business or store where assistance can also be called.

“It is unusual. I am not aware of any similar incidents that have occurred since I moved down here in 2015,” said Wielgosz adding that an incident like this is extremely uncommon in Strathmore. “This does involve one of our Strathmore youth who is one of our own and it is something we do take very seriously. Fortunately, our young female victim was able to escape and was not harmed any further.”