VPD probe attempted abduction of 8-year-old girl near Stanley Park

Vancouver police have released several images of a man who is a "person of interest" in the attempted kidnapping of an eight-year-old girl near Stanley Park on Sept. 4, 2015. (Handout).

Updated story: Vancouver police have released several images of a man who is a "person of interest" in the attempted kidnapping of an eight-year-old girl near Stanley Park Friday morning.

The man is described as white, 20 to 30 years old, around 5-8 tall, with a thin build, dark hair, and a bushy goatee. He was wearing a green and black camouflage hoodie, green pants, an orange and yellow construction vest and white sunglasses or goggles on his head.

Police believe that the man was loitering in the area prior to the attack.

Previous story: A massive manhunt was launched in one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions Friday after the attempted abduction of a young girl.

Vancouver police officers swarmed Stanley Park after receiving reports a “dirty looking” man grabbing an eight-year-old and trying to drag her away around 8:30 a.m.

The incident happened near the north end of Denman Street near the seawall.

The man was confronted by the girl’s relatives and he ran off towards Lost Lagoon.

Investigators taped off a portion of the popular seawall with yellow caution tape and were scouring the bushes lining the walkway.

VPD said the K9 unit, Mounted unit, park rangers and park staff were also out searching for the man.

Police say the little girl is shaken up but okay, and the Sex Crimes Unit is now investigating. Police are also hoping to develop a composite sketch of the suspect.

He is described as a white man with a slim build wearing green clothing.