Albert Lea police are investigating a report of an attempted kidnapping at gunpoint Sunday evening near the city pool.

The reporting person, a 22-year-old man, reportedly said a man approached him at the basketball courts at the intersection of James Avenue and Frank Avenue, next to the pool, asking if he could play basketball with him. After a while, the suspect reportedly lifted his shirt to display the weapon and told the victim to come with him, according to an Albert Lea Police Department Facebook post.

The victim reportedly fled on foot following the incident. The post states the suspect walked to his vehicle and headed south on Frank Avenue.

The alleged victim was not injured in the incident.

The suspect is described as a white man in his late 20s to early 30s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 180 pounds with black hair, a buzz cut and glasses.

The vehicle was described as a silver van with rust along the bottom with white tape on the rear passenger taillight.

The incident was reported at approximately 6:24 p.m.

The alleged incident was the second in less than 24 hours in Albert Lea. A report of a man unsuccessfully attempting to kidnap a 12-year-old girl was made at 9:55 p.m. Saturday at the Freeborn County Fair.

Albert Lea Deputy Director of Police J.D. Carlson said the incidents are unrelated due to the different locations and victim descriptions.

“There’s no reason to believe they are related,” he said.

Carlson said an increase in criminal activity is expected during the fair due to the influx of people into the community.

He advised parents to continue practicing safety precautions, such as ensuring children have phones they can call from and making sure they are supervised.

Anyone with any information is advised to contact police at 507-377-5200, extension 5.

Look to the Tribune for more information as it is released.