Man approaches children in St. Catharines

Niagara police are investigating after two young girls were approached in separate incidents by a man in St. Catharines.

Police say on December 12, a 14-year-old girl was delivering newspapers in the area of Heywood Avenue and Cover Street when she noticed a red pick-up truck seemed to be following her.

The truck pulled up beside the girl and the male driver tried to speak with her. The girl ignored the driver.

The man drove up the street, parked the truck and appeared to watch the girl. He left the area and was last seen turning onto Niagara Street.

The second incident happened on December 13 near Lakeshore Road and Eastfield Court.

A 13-year-old girl was walking alone to school and noticed a man walking behind her.

The girl says the man uttered a threat to her safety. She did not respond to the man and as she walked faster away from him, she heard keys jingling.

The girl looked back and saw a red pick-up truck running and the man was out of sight.

The suspect is described as white, male, 20 to 30 years old, with brown hair. He was wearing a grey sweat shirt and blue baggy jeans.

Anyone with information is asked by police to contact detectives from the St. Catharines Criminal Investigation Branch or call Crime Stoppers of Niagara.