The case of a missing boy found in the company of a 38-year-old man is not criminal, nor a threat to public safety, St. Paul police said Friday.

Police issued an alert on social media Thursday evening asking for the public's help in finding 9-year-old Sebastian Wolbersen after he went fishing Wednesday at Beaver Lake and failed to return home.

Authorities were searching for him Thursday evening when tips led them to a vacant house on Maryland Avenue, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman. Authorities did not find anything during their first search, but returned to the area shortly before 10 p.m. and found a van parked near the home.

The boy and man were found in the van, Ernster said.

Police interviewed the boy and man, who is homeless and was booked on probable cause kidnapping.

"After interviews were done with the child and the man that was arrested, it was determined that no crime occurred." Ernster said.

The man was released from the county jail early Friday, and his van was returned to him.

Ernster said that the boy has a history of running away, and was familiar with the man, who also fished at Beaver Lake, which is located at 1050 Edgewater Blvd.

Police do not suspect that any crimes occurred while the two spent the day together.

"They were together running errands, driving around," Ernster said.

chao.xiong@startribune.com • 612-270-4708

Twitter: @ChaoStrib

karen.zamora@startribune.com • 612-673-4647

Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora