Pre-trial conference set for Sept. 16

A pre-trial conference has been set for a man accused of attempted abduction of a 14-yearold boy in west Lethbridge last year.

The accused, 21-year-old Heinrich Van Daniel Blanco, pleaded not guilty in March to one count of attempted abduction of a person under the age of 14. Defence counsel agent for Calgary lawyer Jeanine Zahara, Michelle Carrigan, student at law, on Monday in Lethbridge provincial court simply requested all further deliberations on the matter be adjourned until one day after the pre-trial conference date of Sept. 16.

Blanco was charged following an incident when at about noon on Aug. 31, 2020 police responded to an attempted abduction in the 100 block of Mic Mac Boulevard and Red Crow Boulevard West.

Police reported the driver of a silver car pulled up to a 13-yearold boy and offered to give him a ride to the store to buy candy. The boy refused and the vehicle drove away.

Police investigators identified the vehicle and prepared a composite drawing of the subject, which, coupled with tips from the public, led to the identity of a suspect.

Blanco was granted bail following his arrest but ordered to adhere to several release conditions.

– With files from Delon Shurtz