Van from attempted knife attack sought

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a van thought to be involved in an attempted knife attack at Higgens Point in Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday. A man called 911 about noon Wednesday to report that he and his 2-year-old daughter were walking near the boat ramp at Higgens Point when he was approached by a man carrying a knife and demanding money. The man told deputies that he was carrying a concealed handgun that he drew and pointed at the man, who fled. The man is described as possibly Hispanic and thin with shoulder length hair and a thin mustache. The victim told deputies that the man got into an older blue van, possibly from the 1970s, with tinted windows, a rear ladder and a full-length luggage rack on top. The van also had a large rust spot on the driver’s door and a cracked rear window. It may have Washington or California plates. It was last seen turning east onto Sunnyside Road from Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive. Anyone with information on the incident or the van is asked to call the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 446-1300.