Man arrested after women sexually assaulted in Vancouver

A man has been arrested two weeks after four women reported being inappropriately touched in downtown Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police says a woman was sitting on a bench at Pacific Centre mall in the afternoon on Friday, May 13 when a man reportedly came up to her and touched her hip. Police say the man tried to pull her toward him when he was interrupted by a security guard who called police.

Shortly after, the man is said to have gone into Granville SkyTrain Station where a second woman was almost grabbed in the groin. Police say she was able to block the suspect’s hand.

The man then allegedly touched a third woman’s breast while making sexually explicit remarks. This woman was able to call for help on the SkyTrain platform using an emergency phone.

A fourth woman then reported to police that she was walking out of the SkyTrain station when the suspect allegedly walked in front of her before grabbing her by the wrist and trying to drag her into a business.

“The woman screamed for help as the suspect allegedly shouted sexually explicit and vulgar comment,” police say in a release, adding bystanders then intervened to break the pair apart.

Police made an arrest shortly after.

Four counts of sexual assault are being recommended by police against a 37-year-old man, who is known to investigators. The Surrey man has been released from custody with conditions, including not being at any SkyTrain property or at Pacific Centre Mall.

“While these types of offences often don’t leave serious physical injury, they can be especially traumatizing to those who experience them, which is why reducing sexual offences on transit is a Transit Police operational priority. Transit Police would like to thank the bystanders who assisted the women. We would never ask … anyone to put themselves into harms way, but these individuals’ actions can only be described as heroic,” Cst. Amanda Steed said.

Anyone who may have seen these incidents happen or who may have more information and has not spoken with police is asked to contact investigators at 604.515.8300.

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