VERNON–Police are now saying that an elementary school boy’s account of being grabbed by a stranger and narrowly escaping on his way home from school on Tuesday was made up.
On Tuesday, a student said he was walking home from the Lake Street School when a car crossed the road, stopped, and a man got out and tried to force him into the car. He said he got away and ran to safety.
In response to the alleged incident, Vernon Police had extra officers on campus on Wednesday to ensure student safety. Meanwhile, they conducted an investigation, speaking to dozens of parents and residents in the area, as well as reviewing surveillance video. Police worked with school officials on the investigation.
No evidence turned up to corroborate the child’s claims, so police re-interviewed him on Wednesday. He then admitted that he made the story up.
Police are no longer searching for a suspect, and the investigation has been closed.
