The SPVM arrests a man suspected of criminally harassing children

21 november 2013

Montréal, November 21, 2013 – Poste de quartier (PDQ) 1, in collaboration with Centre d’enquêtes Ouest of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), this morning arrested a man suspected of suspicious behaviour toward children in the Kirkland area.

The suspect must appear this afternoon in the Criminal and Penal Division of the Court of Québec in Montréal. He is facing two counts of criminal harassment against children. The SPVM also has reason to fear that he may have committed crimes of a sexual nature against minors.

PDQ 1, in collaboration with the SPVM's Centre d’enquêtes Ouest, opened the investigation following complaints received from parents residing in Kirkland, between October 20 and November 14, 2013. According to the information obtained from complainants, a man approached children as they got off the school bus to speak to them and follow them home.

Thanks to the description obtained of the suspect, the police were quickly able to identify the individual and meet him for questioning. During the investigation, the police also increased their presence in the area.

The investigators believe the suspect might have followed other children. PDQ 1 asks parents to remain alert. If they witness suspicious behaviour, they only have to call 9-1-1. If you have any information to report, you can also provide it anonymously and confidentially to Info-Crime Montreal at 514-393-1133.

Preventive tips

PDQ 1 invites teachers and parents to remind children of the following prevention tips:

  • Together with their parents, identify trusted people around them.
  • Avoid travelling alone. Be accompanied by friends or a trusted person.
  • If anyone asks a child for help, the child must tell this person to ask an adult instead.
  • The child must say "NO" to any person who provokes a situation that makes the child feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or frightened. Children must speak to their parents or a trusted person if this occurs.
  • If a stranger tries to grab a child or make a child get into a car, the child must yell "No! I don't know you! " and "Help! " The child must then run home or seek help from a trusted person, such as a police officer, an employee of a store or business, a parent with children, or a neighbour.
  • If there is a phone near the child, the child must call his or her parents or dial 9-1-1 (no change is needed to call 9-1-1 from a public phone).

For more information, visit the SPVM website.

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Source:

Media Relations
Corporate Communications
SPVM
514-280-2015