UPDATE: Police speak to driver; determine misunderstanding

RCMP badge. (Police photo)

FALL RIVER: Police have spoken to the driver of a white cube van that approached a young Fall River girl on April 4, near her home on St. Andrews Drive in Fall River.

Halifax District RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dal Hutchinson confirmed mid-morning April 5 that police were investigating to determine the intentions of the man, who was driving the van with a construction company’s name on it.

“The young girl was walking near her home when the man pulled up beside her in the van and said to “get in,” said Cpl. Hutchinson. “The girl said no, and did the right thing running home, telling her parents who then called us.

“She did everything right and gave us a description of the vehicle involved.”

Later on April 5, Cpl. Hutchinson said officers had spoken to the driver of the van. He told them he was looking for directions, and motioned for the young girl to come to the vehicle as his passenger side power window was not functioning.

“The driver feels bad for the misunderstanding,” said Cpl. Hutchinson.

Local schools in the area have also been notified of the incident and were reportedly planning to send a note home to parents of students.

Cpl. Hutchinson said incidents like this reinforce the stranger danger talk.

“This shows another good reason for parents to talk to their kids about stranger danger and what to do in cases like this,” he said.