Yellowknife (Sep 03/03) - Police are warning parents to keep close tabs on their kids after a man tried to lure a 12-year-old girl into his van early Monday morning, just three days after a nine-year-old boy was abducted and assaulted.

"Parents need to know where there kids are," said Sgt. Steve McVarnock of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"(Abductions) don't only happen in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver. They can happen here."

The girl was walking alone in the downtown area around 1:50 a.m. when a man driving a van repeatedly asked her to get in.

The girl refused and ran into the Yellowknife Inn where she called police.

McVarnock said investigators have identified the van as well as the driver and passenger.

"We'll be meeting with them (soon) to discuss exactly what they were doing that night."

McVarnock wasn't sure if charges would be laid in the case.

"We'll have to consult with the Justice Department to see if that's appropriate," he said.

"It's possible they have a legitimate reason (for approaching the girl)." The 12-year-old was returned to her parents after the incident, but police wondered what she was doing alone in the downtown core at 2 in the morning.

"That was definitely a question we had," said McVarnock.

"I guess some people have different ideas when it comes to family values and (parenting)."

Monday's attempted abduction comes at the heels of chilling assault Friday night.

According to police, a man forced a nine-year-old boy into his truck and assaulted him behind the Weaver and Devore store on Latham Island.

McVarnock said there was no evidence that the boy had been sexually assaulted and he suffered no lasting injuries. "It looks like he was grabbed and pushed," said McVarnock.

Police say the truck was a black, late model Chevrolet and the suspect is described as an aboriginal male in his late forties. He was wearing a black cowboy hat and was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

They're are asking for the public's help to track down the driver and the vehicle.

"We're sort of at an impasse right now," said McVarnock. "

Meanwhile, he is urging parents to keep an eye on their kids.

"People need to exercise control over their children," he said.

"You're looking for trouble if you don't."