8 August 2013

White van scare in Stirling

8 August 2013 | By johnboy

ACT Policing is investigating an incident where an 11-year-old boy was followed home yesterday afternoon by a person in a white van (Wednesday, August 7).

The boy was walking along Fremantle Drive in Stirling towards Bunbury Street, between 3 and 3.15pm, when he saw a white van, driving slowly behind him.

The driver took off at speed once the boy reached his home.

The driver of the van was observed driving on the wrong side of the road and was last seen on Fremantle Drive, turning right onto Bunbury Street.

A similar incident, involving the same child, allegedly occurred about six (6) weeks earlier however, it was not reported to police.

The van is described as white in colour, possibly a Mercedes Vito or similar, with tinted windows. It has a side sliding door on the driver’s side and two small windows on the rear doors which are not tinted. One of the front tyres, driver’s side, does not have a hub cap and a rear tail light is broken.

Anyone who may have seen this van in or around the area or can assist police with the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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tim_c9:45 am 09 Aug 13

FrankReynolds said :

That’s an incredibly detailed description of the van from an 11 year old…

Yes, most boys take an interest in cars at some point in their life. You’d expect to get a fairly detailed description from such a person – my nephew at that age would have been able to tell you the exact make, model, country of origin, approximate year of manufacture, trim/spec level, whether it had a petrol or diesel engine, and whether that particular make or model is known for any reliability issues.

magiccar96:18 am 09 Aug 13

Saw the interview about this on the news last night. Interesting seeing the officer trying to explain the look of the van when he simply could have said “looks like a mobile speed camera van”. Who doesn’t know what a speed van looks like. Problem solved

schmeah3:52 pm 08 Aug 13

This is very scary, hopefully the child is quick enough to wise up to such behaviour in the future.

Personally, I give children the benefit of the doubt when their safety is at risk. And there is certainly no shortage of Pervs getting about. Trolls.

kumadude2:04 pm 08 Aug 13

Roundhead89 said :

Sounds like another hoax by opportunist kids again. Almost every case where a kid has supposedly been followed by a white van or assaulted by someone in a white van it has been proven to be bogus. Cops should just dispose all these reports into the round file.

Really, do you drive a Vito or similar, with tinted windows which does not have a hub cap and a rear tail light is broken.

Grow up you subterranean level troll.

mcharlton12:38 pm 08 Aug 13

Spoken by people who don’t have kids walking home after school. Whether it is a hoax or not, all reports are always be taken seriously by police. As police say, without your information, we can’t find out what is happening out there.
I can’t believe people automatically consider a 11 yo calling a hoax. What would have you said if the child went missing whilst walking home, only to find out people hadn’t bothered to report a suspicious car in the area?

Grimm12:20 pm 08 Aug 13

Did it have “Free candy” painted down the side?

FrankReynolds11:53 am 08 Aug 13

That’s an incredibly detailed description of the van from an 11 year old…

spinact10:31 am 08 Aug 13

Sounds like a speed camera van

p110:28 am 08 Aug 13

Selling high quality audio equipment?

Roundhead8910:26 am 08 Aug 13

Sounds like another hoax by opportunist kids again. Almost every case where a kid has supposedly been followed by a white van or assaulted by someone in a white van it has been proven to be bogus. Cops should just dispose all these reports into the round file.

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