Chilliwack RCMP says Walmart suspect was aggressive, but did not try to abduct a child; man still faces several charges

However, police say their investigation did not come to the same conclusion.

In a news release from Sgt. Krista Vrolyk Thursday evening, Mounties in Chilliwack received a report of a disturbance in a public parking lot located in the 8200 block of Eagle Landing Parkway. Initial reports indicated that a man was following a woman and her crying child through the parking lot acting in an aggressive and erratic manner. One caller indicated that the man had said something about an “Amber Alert.” The woman and child departed the scene prior to police attendance.

Croasdale stated that an employee named Phil intervened and stood in between the child and the man. However, police said not everything on social media is true these days.

“There seems to be a lot of misinformation regarding this incident on social media. It is important for the public to know that our investigation does not indicate that there was any attempt made by the man to abduct the child,” Sgt. Vrolyk said. “Police have spoken with the woman involved and she advised that the man did not make any attempt to take the child, nor did he cause her to believe that that was his intent.”

Sgt. Vrolyk says police arrived and spoke with the man who mistakenly believed that the crying child was being taken by the woman against her will. He advised that his observation and reference to “Amber Alert” was out of concern for the child. Police investigation has determined that the woman and child were family to one another and the man’s concerns regarding an abduction were unfounded.

Sgt. Vrolyk acknowledged that the man in question was aggressive, but said the man did not attempt to abduct a young child.

Later that night, Chilliwack RCMP received a second call involving the same man after store security reported that he was acting erratically inside the store. Reports indicated that he was allegedly attempting to steal products and damaging property within the store.

Police attended and arrested the man for theft, mischief and causing a disturbance. He was released on court documents.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack RCMP says Walmart suspect was aggressive, but did not try to abduct a child; man still faces several charges

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