A man in a purple bunny mask tried to remove a seven-year-old girl from a Chilliwack elementary school, but quick action from a bystander prevented it from happening.
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A man wearing a bunny mask unsuccessfully attempted to kidnap a child from a Chilliwack elementary school on Wednesday, police say.
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The RCMP was notified of an attempted abduction of a seven-year-old girl from the school grounds of Central Elementary at about 9 a.m., after a bystander became concerned and intervened after seeing a man in a purple bunny-like mask.
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Police said the child didn’t know her would-be abductor, and a man named Joel McGillis has been charged with kidnapping a person under 16 years of age. McGillis remains in custody.
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McGillis has a long list of past offences, including assault, assault with a weapon, theft, breaking-and-entering, and breach of probation that dates to 2003, according to online court documents.
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Authorities are also asking anyone who was in the area between Central Elementary School and the 46000-block of Margaret Avenue between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. and saw anyone wearing a purple bunny-like mask, to contact the Chilliwack RCMP.
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