MORE: Additional information provided to YEGWAVE by the parent states the incident involved their 14-year-old daughter and a friend near Rutherford Road and 118 Street on the evening of June 14.
According to the submission, the girls first noticed the dark grey van approaching with its side passenger door open. After passing them, the van allegedly performed a U-turn and began heading back toward them. Believing they may have been targeted, the girls turned around and ran in the opposite direction.
The parent alleges there were approximately five to six adult East Indian men inside the vehicle, estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old. Due to the fear and panic of the situation, the girls were unable to provide detailed descriptions of the occupants or clearly identify what was being yelled at them.
The submission states the van turned around multiple times and continued approaching the girls. Fearing for their safety and worried they could be forced into the vehicle, the girls began yelling for help. A nearby woman reportedly witnessed their distress and called 911. According to the parent, the van sped away after the occupants noticed the woman.
The family says they have fully cooperated with police. Officers reportedly spoke with nearby residents and obtained surveillance footage showing the vehicle and its driving behaviour. The parent says they have also gone door-to-door seeking additional video evidence. However, a licence plate has not yet been identified.
The parent says the incident has left both girls extremely distressed and frightened. They hope sharing their experience will raise awareness, encourage parents to discuss safety with their children, and help identify the vehicle and its occupants.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have dashcam or security footage from the area is encouraged to contact Edmonton Police.
“Hello, I’m hoping you can share this information. My daughter was walking with her friend yesterday evening when a dark grey van with 5–6 East Indian men approached them. The men tried to get them into the van, coming up with the sliding door open and yelling.
I have some videos, but we are trying to obtain the license plate or have someone identify them. Throughout the incident, they were recording the girls. It happened on a busy road (Rutherford) while it was still light out. The event occurred yesterday at 8 p.m.” - Submitted in the DMs.