Calgary police investigate ‘suspicious interaction’ at Marlborough playground
Posted Aug 22, 2023 3:00 pm.
Last Updated Aug 23, 2023 2:26 pm.
Calgary police are appealing to the public for information after two girls were allegedly approached at a park in the city’s northeast.
Between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, police say two 10-year-old girls were playing at the St. Mark School playground on Marbank Drive NE when they were approached by a man they didn’t know.
Investigators say the man showed the girls a picture and made an inappropriate comment to them.
The girls left the park immediately after and went home to tell their parents, who called police.
“At this time, we are treating this interaction as suspicious and are asking anyone with CCTV from the area or information about the man to come forward,” said A/S/Sgt. Shelby Stewart of the CPS District 4 General Investigations Unit in a statement. “In this case, these girls did everything right and this serves as a good reminder for all parents to make sure that their children know what to do if they are approached by someone with ill intentions.”
Officers attended the scene and are in the process of collecting CCTV footage from the area but, at this time, the man hasn’t been identified.
The man is described as white, 60 to 70 years old, with a white beard, grey hair, and balding above his ears.
Police are encouraging all parents to talk to their children about what to do when a stranger is making them uncomfortable. and how to tell the difference between a stranger they can ask for help, such as police officers, transit officers, teachers, or other parents — and a stranger who may be dangerous.
Additional resources for parents can be found through the Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre and missingkids.ca
Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the man is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
