A 55-year-old man has been arrested and charged for allegedly trying to kidnap a 14-year-old girl who was walking in the Ulkatcho Reserve last Thursday night.
Walter Earl Grinder has been charged with kidnapping with the intent to confine.
At about 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 12 the Anahim Lake RCMP began an investigation into an attempted abduction.
According to the RCMP, the victim was walking on Domas Squinas Road in the Ulkatcho Reserve listening to her Ipod when a vehicle with two males pulled up beside her and invited her to drink with them. The driver then reportedly grabbed the female by the wrist but the victim fought back and was able to free herself. The victim ran from the area but was followed by the male in his vehicle.
After running to a local store for help and giving a description of the driver and vehicle, a member of the community saw the suspect vehicle and was able to get a partial plate number.
Police were in the area and located the suspect vehicle, which was occupied by three men.
The driver was arrested at the scene while the two passengers were questioned and later released.
Grinder was released from custody by a justice of the peace and issued a recognizance, which included a number of strict conditions. Two of his conditions included that Grinder be removed from the community and he is not to have any contact with youth under the age of 16 years old.