UPDATE: Police search Stanley Park for alleged abduction attempt suspect

A Stanley Park-wide manhunt ensued Thursday morning after an unknown man allegedly tried to grab an eight-year-old girl and drag her off near the sea wall. Unfortunately, no arrests have been made.

“At about 8:30 a.m., the girl was approached and grabbed at the North foot of Denman Street near the seawall. The man was confronted and ran off in the area of Lost Lagoon,” says VPD spokesperson Corporal Brian Montague. According to police reports, he was confronted by the child’s parents before he fled.

Officers, the K9 unit, the VPD Mounted Unit and Park Rangers spent most of Thursday searching the park for the suspect, described as white with a slim build and dirty looking, wearing green clothing. Officers were stationed at all entrances and exits to the park, but the suspect was not located.

Police say the young girl was not physically hurt in the altercation but understandably shook up.

The VPD Sex Crimes Unit is now investigating the case and have processed and collected evidence including possibly DNA. Any witnesses of the incident are asked to speak with police. Authorities are also searching for any possible surveillance footage from the area and working on a composite sketch of the suspect.