Police are investigating a troubling incident that occurred at an East Vancouver daycare just before Christmas after a stranger “posed as a parent”.
The suspicious incident occurred on December 13th at around 3:30pm. A man knocked on the door of an after-school home daycare near East Hastings and Skeena Street and spoke to the daughter of the daycare operator.
The stranger claimed to be the father of a five-year-old girl who was attending the daycare and referred to the child by name.
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“This is a troubling case that we’ve been actively investigating for more than three weeks, but we still don’t know the identity of this stranger,” said Sergeant Steve Addison.
“With students heading back to school and daycares soon re-opening after the Christmas break, we’re notifying the public and taking additional steps to solve this case.”
The five-year-old named by the stranger out of the house with daycare staff at the time and the man left without her.
Daycare staff immediately called police.
“Our investigators have worked with the girl’s family and daycare staff, conducted extensive neighbourhood canvasses for witnesses and video, and spoken with other families who use the daycare,” added Sergeant Addison. “We’ve confirmed that neither of the girl’s parents had come to pick her up that afternoon, and that nobody else should have been aware of the child-care arrangement.
Police have released a composite sketch of the man and a picture of an orange Porsche Macan that was in the neighbourhood around the time of the incident.
“At this stage of the investigation, police have not linked the car to the incident, but believe the person driving it may be able to assist in the investigation,” said police.
The suspect is believed to be white and in his 30s, standing about 6′ tall with a medium build. He had facial stubble and was wearing a white toque with a white hooded sweatshirt. He was described as “appearing clean and stylish”.
Investigators are hoping someone can identify the man.
“Who this man was is still a mystery, and the nature of the incident is a cause for concern.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD’s Special Investigation Section at 604-717-0600.
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