Boy evades abduction attempt

A YOUNG boy was approached by a man in a white van who attempted to lure him into it and grabbed at him in Berwick last week.
Detectives have been told the 11-year-old boy was walking with his dog through parkland toward Bournevale Drive around 5.30pm on Tuesday 19 November.
Just before he entered the small park he noticed a white van perform a U-turn in front of him.
The boy continued walking through the park and sat at the bus stop on the northern side of Bournevale Drive near the Queens Court intersection.
Police said the man pulled up in front of the bus stop, got out of the van, opened the sliding door of the vehicle and asked the boy if he wanted to pat the black Labrador dog that was inside.
The boy took a step back, then the man stepped forward and attempted to grab the boy’s arm but he managed to take another step back, threw his basketball at the man and ran off.
The man is described as 30-40 years old, long straight brown hair and unshaven.
He was wearing sunglasses, white or yellow coloured thongs, singlet and blue denim jeans.
The van was described as white, unwashed, rusty, possibly a 2004 model and had a sliding door on the driver’s side.
Police believe there were two people walking their dog in the park prior to the incident at the bus stop who may have seen the van.
Police have released a face image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.