Athabasca RCMP say there have been no confirmed local sightings of David Warren Buchanan, a 67-year-old man wanted in connection to three attempted child abduction attempts in Edmonton.
Word spread quickly about the man through email and social media sites, such as Facebook, on Wednesday, after the Edmonton Sun released a story that stated police believed he had spent time in northern Alberta, including Athabasca and Vermillion.
The story said police were seeking the man, described as having a salt and pepper beard and wearing a red cowboy hat, after he initiated a conversation with a four-year old boy and then asked the boy to leave with him. Police were seeking the man on two similar abduction attempts that also happened in the province’s capital in January.
With no fixed address, they reported that the man had been seen driving a 2003 Chevrolet Impala and a 2011 blue Chrysler Town and Country van. They added that he has not responded to calls from police.
Reported sightings of the man in Athabasca popped up a number of times on local Facebook groups, but Athabasca RCMP said that despite all the calls they have not confirmed a sighting.
Corporal Francis Hachey said that police appreciate the concern and vigilance demonstrated by the citizens of Athabasca, but at this point they have no reason to believe the suspect is in the area.
“As far as we know this guy has no connections here, so he shouldn’t be in this area,” Cpl. Hachey said. “Until we can confirm something we don’t believe he’s here.”
He added that the detachment has the description of both vehicles, and that they are responding to all calls about potential sightings.
