Authorities say an initial report of an alleged attempt to lure children at Kimberly Bay Park was not accurate.

On September 19, RCMP in Steinback received a call, saying a group of children were playing at a park when a man stopped and tried to lure two of the three into his vehicle.

Police now say what actually happened that evening between the vehicle and three children was not what was originally reported.

"The driver did provide a greeting to the children, but only in passing. It is believed the vehicle stopped and backed up, causing the children to become frightened and run to safety," RCMP say in a statement.

They are commending the children for being aware of their surroundings, getting to safety, and calling the police. 

 

Earlier:

Authorities say a group of children playing at a park were approached and followed by a man, telling young girls to get inside his car.

On Saturday night, a 10-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old girl were playing on a playground structure at Kimberly Bay Park in Steinbach when Mounties say an unknown man approached them. The man, who authorities say was in his 60s, approached the group in a dark-coloured four-door car. He then told the two girls to get inside his car.

The children ran out of the park and into the neighbourhood, but the man followed in his car for eight minutes, continuing to try to get the children inside. Police say at one point he got out of his vehicle.

Running to a safe location, authorities were called at around 8:20 p.m. When officers arrived in the area, there was no vehicle fitting the children's description.

Police are releasing the suspect's description saying he is Caucasian and 5'8 tall. He has a receding hairline, very short grey hair, a grey beard, and grey eyebrows.