Unknown man tries to lure 13- and 16-year-old girls into car in Hamilton

Hamilton Police have issued a safety alert after an unidentified man allegedly asked a 13-year-old girl to get in his car to “have fun and drive around” then did the same to a 16-year-old a few days later.

According to police, the girl was walking down Gemini Drive on Hamilton Mountain alone around 3 p.m. on Dec. 5. As she walked, a car pulled up alongside her. The man driving told her to “Get in the car to have fun and drive around,” police report.

The girl ignored the driver and continued to walk away. The driver followed her for a little while but eventually pulled a U-turn and drove away.

A similar incident occurred on Dec. 17, when a 16-year-old girl was walking alone near Upper Ottawa Street and Queensdale Avenue East around 9:30 p.m. This area is about 10 kilometres northeast of where the first incident took place.

The driver again pulled up alongside the girl and tried to strike up a conversation. This girl also ignored him and continued walking. The driver drove away but then circled back to the girl a second time.

He shouted “You’re my friend” at the girl who continued to ignore him. The driver again followed the girl for a little while. This time the girl decided to run to the nearest house and bang on the door for help. She was let in and the driver continued to shout until the door closed. Only then did he drive away.

Both girls described the man as East Indian, in his twenties and with a smaller build. The girls also agreed he had a small beard and spiky hair. As a result, police believe the same man was behind both incidents. They described the car as a silver of grey sedan, but neither got the licence plate number.

Of note, one of the girls reported the man smiled through the entire incident.

“Hamilton Police are reminding the public to always be vigilant when out walking by yourself. If you notice any suspicious, please report it immediately,” police said.

Anyone with information can call police at 905-546-8964 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).