Police in North Vancouver investigate 'suspicious' incidents

North Vancouver RCMP say they are investigating three recent reports of suspicious encounters with strangers in the Seymour area.

Three separate incidents in the Blueridge, Seymour Heights and Maplewoods neighbourhoods have caused concern for area residents, according to the RCMP.

On Nov. 18, at about 7 p.m. an adult man reportedly approached a 14-year-old boy on a walking trail near Blueridge Elementary, and asked him to accompany him to help him find his dog. In a second incident the following afternoon, the same teen reported that the same man approached him again on a walking trail near Seymour Heights Elementary, at about 4 p.m. An altercation took place, according to RCMP.

The third incident was reported at about 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, near the corner of Windridge Drive and Riverside Drive in Maplewood. A woman was stopped at a stop sign in her vehicle when she was approached by a man who attempted to open her locked rear passenger door, according to RCMP. He then left without saying anything.

In the first two incidents involving the teenager, the man was described as Caucasian, 5-foot-7, skinny with no facial hair and a deep voice. The man was wearing a black hat and red flannel jacket, said police.

In the third incident involving the woman in her vehicle, the man was described as an Indigenous male, 45-50 years old, with black hair. He was wearing a baseball cap with a bird on it, a black leather jacket and Adidas-style striped track pants.

Const. Kelly McIntyre of the North Vancouver RCMP said police don’t know what either of the strangers’ intentions were, but “we do not feel there is evidence to indicate a heightened risk to the public."

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed any of the three incidents, or may have video surveillance or dash camera footage, to call the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.