RUSSELL – Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Russell County Detachment received two separate complaints about a suspicious male attempting to pick up a child from a local day care and a suspicious vehicle which followed a child biking in Russell.

The first incident occurred on Tues., Sept. 4 at approx. 5 p.m. A male attended a local day care and pretended he wanted to pick up a child but could only provide a first name. The staff confirmed with parents that no one was supposed to pick up their child. The suspect was described as: caucasian male, approximately 5’9” and 35-40 years old. English speaking with no accent, covered with tattoos, well built, facial hair (goatee and long sideburns) and wearing a plaid t-shirt.

The second incident occurred on Wed., Sept, 5 at approximately 2:30 p.m. An unknown person driving an older black car slowed down and followed a child biking on Concession Street and Craig Street in Russell. The windows and windshield were tinted so assistance is being sought from the public in helping to identify the vehicle. The vehicle is described as an older black car (size between a Honda Civic and Nissan Maxima), with tinted windows and windshield, dark rims, unknown marker and rust above front plate.

It is unknown if the two incidents are connected. If you can assist to identify the male or the vehicle or have any information in regards those events please contact Detective Constable Michael Cunning (michael.cunning@opp.ca) or 613-443-4499 or toll free at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). In case of emergency call 9-1-1.