A report of a suspicious male near Sunnyside Park sent police racing to the neighbourhood Tuesday morning.
Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said officers set up a perimeter around the South Surrey park after an area resident reported seeing an unfamiliar person cut through a neighbour's yard near 27A Avenue and 154 Street around 10:45 a.m.
When police arrived, a individual matching the suspect's description bolted, Paquet said.
"We saw a male going over a fence and running," Paquet said. "We want to ask him, why are you running from us?"
Sean Casey, who lives near the park, told Peace Arch News the police presence was heavy.
"All the streets were blocked off," he said.
Despite an extensive search – including by a police dog team and from the air – the suspect was not located. Police did, however, recover a backpack.
Officers continued to canvass the neighbourhood for witnesses.
Anyone with information on the individual's identity – he is described as a Caucasian male with dark, shaved hair, wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts – or location is asked to contact police at 604-599-0502.