After investigating the alleged abduction, police tweet that updated news release will be released
Toronto Police say there was no abduction at York University Wednesday afternoon.
On December 6 at 11 a.m. and 12:50 p.m., Toronto Police issued news releases asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation of a possible abduction said to have occurred on York’s Keele campus December 5 at 5 p.m.
At 2:28 pm Toronto police tweeted, “Officers have determined that the alleged abduction at York University did not occur. News release to follow.”
Police initially reported that two white men forced a person into an older brown GMC Safari van near the Fine Arts Building, after receiving an unknown trouble call at the university just before 5 p.m. on December 5.
The “victim” was reportedly wearing a winter jacket, jeans and white runners, police said. It was unknown whether the person was a student or male or female.
Earlier, Const. Tonyo Vella told Excalibur, “We don’t know if this was a prank or a real incident but we are taking this seriously.”
The Toronto Star reported that police said there were probably many witnesses since the incident occurred in “broad daylight near a busy intersection during exam time.”
None of these probable witnesses were quoted or mentioned in the first two press releases from police. Police had asked for witnesses to come forward during the investigation.
The van’s driver was described by police as white, five-foot-seven to five-foot-eight with brown curly hair, blue jeans and a white/black jacket. The passenger was described as white and shorter than the driver.
In a security bulletin, York University said they met with Toronto Police 31 Division to review “campus safety strategies.” York also says it has increased security patrols focusing on evening exam hours and additional Toronto Police officers are on campus.
By Ernest Reid, Executive Editor (Online)
