Man arrested, charged with attempted kidnapping at Chilliwack elementary school

UPDATE: Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener says police will hold a media briefing Friday morning to address the child abduction that has resulted in charges against Joel McGillis.

Original story:

CHILLIWACK – Mounties in Chilliwack have confirmed that charges have now been laid against a man who allegedly tried to abduct a child at an elementary school in Chilliwack Wednesday morning.

According to a statement from Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener, RCMP members were notified about an attempted abduction of a 7-year-old child from the school grounds of Central Elementary School on Wednesday morning, May 13 at about 9:09 a.m.

Police say a man had allegedly attempted to remove the child from school property before a concerned citizen intervened and brought the child back to the school. The child was not injured.

A short time later, a man matching the description was located nearby. Corporal Kiener says police were able to arrest him and take him into custody.

Police say Joel McGillis has been charged with kidnapping a person under 16 years of age.

He remains in custody, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, May 15.

Police say Joel McGillis and the child are not known to one another, and police believe this to be an isolated incident.

Police are seeking witness who may have been in the area between Central Elementary School and the 46000 block of Margaret Avenue between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

If anyone observed an individual wearing a purple bunny-like mask, please contact the Chilliwack RCMP as you might have information that could assist the investigation.

Image: RCMP / Stock bunny image of what the suspect may have been wearing, as provided by police.

Upper Fraser Valley RCMP Superintendent Darren Pankratz said, “Chilliwack RCMP is taking this incident extremely seriously. The safety of children in our community is a key priority, and we recognize how concerning this type of event is for families. We are working closely with the school district as this investigation continues, and we thank the members of the public who assisted in ensuring the child’s safety and helping police quickly locate and arrest the suspect.”