Police warn parents and kids after teen girl offered candy by man in a minivan

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Police are urging London parents to talk with their children about not accepting rides from strangers after a gap-toothed man driving a van allegedly tried to tempt a teenage girl with candy Tuesday afternoon in Old South near Wortley Village.

The teen was walking in the area of Edward Street and Elmwood Avenue when a light grey, older model minivan stopped beside her, police said.

The adult male driver asked the girl if she wanted some candy and when she didn’t respond, he drove away. He did not get out of the vehicle or try to speak to her a second time, police said.

The girl notified her parents about the incident, and they called police.

Police said there was a sighting of what might have been the same minivan in the area of Edward Street and Tecumseh Avenue.

Police say the man is white, 30 to 40 years old, with a slim build, dark hair cut shorter on the sides and back but long on top. He is missing some front teeth and possibly has tattoos on his arms. He was dressed in a T-shirt and had a black face mask hanging from his chin. He spoke with a deep voice, police said.

London police, who have opened an investigation, searched the area, but were unable to locate the man.