Police in Guelph say 36-year-old Scott Harris has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged attempted child abduction.

The investigation by Guelph police began a week ago when an eight-year-old girl reportedly made contact with a suspicious man.

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 when the girl was walking through Lyon Park, north of the University of Guelph.

The man, parked in a yellow pickup truck on Boult Avenue, allegedly asked the girl to help him find his dog and tried to coax her into the vehicle.

Instead she left the area and the incident was reported to police. Investigators say she suffered no physical injuries and there was no physical contact between the girl and the accused.

Police the girl’s actions were a perfect example of what is taught in the ‘Stranger Danger’ program in area schools.

Guelph Police Sgt. Doug Pflug says “All the flags went off in her mind and through this education and early education we do with children, she contact police and we were able to put this person before the courts and no harm came to this young lady.”

Residents in the area tell CTV News that Harris was in the area weekly to visit his mother. He’s described as quiet person who didn’t start trouble.

He is facing a number of charges including; attempted abduction of a person under 14, attempted kidnapping and criminal harassment.

He was arrested at a trailer in West Montrose on Thursday and made a court appearance on Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det.-Sgt. Tina Ryan at 519-824-1212 Ext. 329 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.