A young witness has reported an abduction to police.
RCMP are actively investigating the claims of a Prince George child who told them of a violent kidnapping that happened in front of an elementary school on Tuesday, just after noon.
"Our witness is very young but very reliable. We are considering it legitimate," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Const. Gary Godwin. "It happened in front of Pinewood Elementary School on Campbell Avenue (just west of Ospika Boulevard between CN Centre and the intersection of Massey Boulevard). It happened at about 12:25 p.m., when we got the call, and since then we've been interviewing this young witness and canvassing the neighbourhood."
The child said a full-sized, older-model, black van was pulled over in the wrong lane for its facing direction, at the southeast corner of the school grounds where a large utility box is situated beside a pedestrian path. The van was described as having rusty hubcaps or wheels, and a decal (possibly a flame) on the driver's side quarter panel.
"There are two suspects," explained Godwin, relating what the child said. "They jumped out of the van, ran to the victim and assaulted the victim with punches and kicks. It looked like they grabbed his wallet, but they also picked him up bodily and threw him into the van and took off."
The suspects and the victim were all about the same age, in their 20s or 30s.
One suspect is, said the witness, a heavyset Caucasian male with black hair and bear, wearing a black leather jacket
The other suspect is about 6 feet tall, slim, Caucasian, and was wearing a black tuque.
The victim had black hair with red streaks and was wearing a black jacket.
Anyone who has possible information about this incident is asked to call RCMP (250-561-3300) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS / www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca) as soon as possible.
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