A Red Deer man has been charged with abduction after allegedly luring a child with the promise of money to help find a lost cat. Aaron Verner Saville, 38, faces charges of abduction of a person under 14 and four counts of failure to comply with release order conditions.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Oriole Park area. According to the RCMP, officers were called to a report of an attempted child abduction. Witnesses reported seeing Saville’s vehicle circling the area multiple times before approaching a youth and offering them money to help look for a lost cat.
A concerned citizen, observing the suspicious behaviour, intervened and confronted Saville. The suspect provided false information and fled the scene. However, police were able to track him down and arrest him following a thorough investigation by the General Duty and General Investigations Section (GIS). A search of Saville’s vehicle uncovered items consistent with an abduction attempt.
Saville was brought before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on August 2.
The RCMP praised the citizen who reported the incident, highlighting their “quick thinking and decisive action.” “Actions like these exemplify the strong commitment and unity within our community, reminding us that we all have a vital role in keeping each other safe,” said Insp. Heidi Ravenhill.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activity. The RCMP encourages members of the public to contact them immediately if they witness anything that seems out of place or potentially dangerous.
