Driver in white pickup truck linked to 2 ‘suspicious’ encounters with youth in Coquitlam, RCMP say

A RCMP vehicle is shown in Coquitlam B.C. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Mounties are investigating what they’re calling “suspicious” incidents involving a white pickup truck, where a driver is reported to have approached youth in two separate occasions.

In a news release Thursday, Coquitlam RCMP said officers received a report of an encounter in the 1600 block of Como Lake Avenue just before 5 p.m. on April 12, where an unknown man allegedly drove up to two young people and attempted to speak with them.

Mounties said the pair did not engage with the man and left the area. The man then reportedly drove off.

That same day, officers received another report of an incident of a similar nature, which had occurred a week prior on April 4 in the area of Poirier Street and Harbour Drive.

In that case, the youth also didn’t engage with the man and returned home.

Mounties believe the two incidents are connected based on the descriptions given of both the driver and the vehicle.

The driver is described as a white man in his mid-20s, with a slim build and short or thinning brown hair.

RCMP said the vehicle is described as a Ford Super Duty pickup truck from the mid-2000s, missing its front licence plate, with a lifted suspension and large, off-road tires. Cylindrical tanks were also seen in the truck bed.

“While nothing criminal of nature occurred during these incidents, the behaviour of this individual is unusual, which is why we’re issuing this warning,” Sgt. Adriana O’Malley said in the release. “While we continue to investigate these incidents, we want to remind the public of the importance of speaking with your kids about personal safety.”

RCMP are urging parents and caregivers to talk to young people about staying safe, including:

• Paying attention to your surroundings;
• Not engaging with people you don’t know and feeling confident saying no;
• Heading to a safe place if something doesn’t feel right;
• Letting a trusted adult or police know about any suspicious behaviour

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call investigators at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2026-8892.