Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who propositioned a 12-year-old girl for sex in East Vancouver. Investigators have created a composite sketch of the suspect and are hoping someone recognizes him.
Just after 2 p.m. on November 29th, an unknown man approached the young girl, who was standing in front of a school near the area of Princess Avenue and East Pender Street. He told the girl that he wanted to pay her for sex and left when she declined. There was no physical assault.
Fortunately, the girl returned to the school and advised an adult and the police were called. Officers were not able to locate the man. The goal of identifying him is to determine what, if any, risk he may pose to young girls in the area.
The suspect is described as a 6-foot-tall Aboriginal man, with a heavy build. He was missing teeth and spoke with a lisp, and was wearing a red plaid jacket over a black hoodie and blue jeans.
“This young girl did the right thing by immediately telling a trusted adult,” says Constable Jason Doucette. “Although there is no allegation of a physical assault, a man offering to pay a young girl for sex is concerning. We would like to identify him to help us determine if he is a risk to youth in the area.”
Detectives are asking anyone who has any information regarding this incident, or who recognizes the man in the composite sketch, to contact the VPD Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-2634 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
