Police encourage safety after man offers rides to 2 teens in south Regina

Regina parents are being reminded to discuss safety with their children after two teens were offered rides to school by a man asking “somewhat suspicious” questions this week.

Police believe the same man was involved in each case. 

On Monday, a 15-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop at McDougall Crescent and Grant Road just before 8 a.m. when a silver car stopped by her. The man driving asked her several times if he could drive her to school.

On Thursday, a similar incident happened to another 15-year-old girl. She was waiting near Wesley Road and Grant Road just before 8 a.m. when a man in a silver car stopped and started asking her questions, including whether he could drive her to school.

Police say the man is described as black, in his 20s or 30s, was mostly bald and was wearing a buttoned shirt. He didn’t try to get out of the car to approach either of the girls.

With the school year soon coming to an end, the Regina Police Service reminds parents it’s always important to review safety plans, which could include:

• Be aware of your surroundings and take note of anything or anyone that looks suspicious
• If listening to music, make sure one ear is free to hear traffic, people and the surroundings
• Don’t approach a vehicle if you don’t know the person inside
• Don’t talk to someone you don’t know
• Walk with a friend if possible
• Walk a route that has sidewalks, instead to cutting down paths and alleys
• Get a description of anyone who behaves suspiciously, and if it involves a vehicle, try to get a licence plate number
• If someone does act suspicious, report it to a teacher, to the police or to someone you trust

The police service asks anyone with information on this week’s incidents to contact 306-777-6500 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.