Stranger danger incident near Oliver elementary school prompts warning

Parents and caregivers of children attending an elementary school in Oliver were issued a letter notifying them of an unsettling incident that took place near the school this morning.

Sen Pok Chin School principal Valerie Allen says a notice was issued following an incident involving three younger students waiting for the bus today, Feb. 12.

A parent witnessed a four-door, grey vehicle stopping to talk to the children. The man in the car asked if they wanted to see his puppy.

One of the parents yelled at the children to come back to the house, at which point the man continued to engage the children to come and see his puppy.

Allen says as soon as she was able to deal with the situation she called the police. She was then told the parents who witnessed the event also called police.

Classes at the First Nations school reviewed stranger danger teachings to remind children what to do if a stranger tries to convince them to engage in what could be a potentially dangerous situation.

Allen says a copy of the letter to parents and caregivers was also passed on to School District 53.

RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Jason Bayda said in a press release the man in the vehicle is described as Caucasian, around 50 years old with grey hair. Police would like to speak to the man to learn of his intentions.

Officers are canvassing the neighbourhood and wish to speak with anyone who might have witnessed the incident, or who might have video surveillance cameras in the area.

Anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact Oliver RCMP at 250-498-3422, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

— This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, to include information from RCMP.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

More Articles