Police are once again warning parents to teach their children not to take rides with strangers after a third suspicious incident, involving the driver of a white van and a young girl, occurred in Hope.

Police are also hoping that the public will be vigilant in reporting any suspicious white van that is driving around, or parked somewhere, for a long period of time – prior to another incident occurring.

On Friday, April 3, the driver of a white van reportedly approached a young female walking home from C.E. Barry School. The driver offered the girl a lift, telling her that she could have one of the puppies in the back of his van. ¶The incident occurred on Coquihalla Street near Sixth Avenue. ¶

The young female ignored the male and continued home.

The van was described as an older model white GMC Safari Van. The driver was described as a white male between 30 and 40 years-old with a dark complexion and short brown hair.

On Thursday, September 17, police were again advised of a suspicious man, in an older model white van, who approached a 12 year-old girl on her way to Silver Creek School and offered her a ride. The incident occurred along Flood-Hope Road. The driver was described as a white male with curly dark hair and a raspy voice.

In the latest incident, Wednesday, October 7, the driver of a white van offered a 10 year-old female a ride.

“The female was walking to the recreation centre located on 6th Avenue… when she was approached by a male driving a white van and told to get into the vehicle,” reports Corporal Lea-Anne Dunlop, media relations with the Upper Fraser Valley Detachment.

“The young female then ran to the recreation centre and police were called and advised of the incident,” added Dunlop.

Again the van was described by the young victim as an older white van – with tinted windows. The male driver was described as dark skinned, approximately 40 years old, with short brown hair, a slim build and spoke with an accent.

“Hope RCMP made patrols for the vehicle and were unable to locate it…. The investigation is ongoing at this time to identify the driver, or the van associated.”

“There is a likelihood” that the incidents are related, said Dunlop, but “until the driver and the van are identified we won’t be able to say 100 percent.”