False Alarm At Pine Centre Mall

PRINCE GEORGE – Shortly after 2:00 PM Saturday, Prince George RCMP responded to a report of a possible attempted abduction of a young female from Pine Centre Mall. A number of police officers responded as well the North Districts Air 3 helicopter.
 
The complainant reported that she had been approached by an elderly female who had asked for assistance finding the exit in the mall and then grabbed hold of the young girl’s arm and tried pulling her towards the mall exit. The young complainant was able to run to their parents who were in the mall. The female suspect left the area.
 
After a follow-up investigation, the elderly female suspect was located. “Our investigators have determined that this was not an attempted abduction and note that the elderly female was likely confused or disoriented when this incident occurred,” Says Staff Sergeant Steve McLeod of the Prince George RCMP. “She has been located and also determined to be safe”.
 
“There was a significant police response to this complaint based on the initial report. It was this response that allowed members to conduct a thorough investigation and interview witnesses that led to identifying the lady involved and eventually locating her and determining no criminal intent existed”.