North Vancouver police investigating 3 public sexual assaults in one month

Police in North Vancouver are warning the public and seeking help finding suspects after a series of public sexual assaults in the Lower Lonsdale area last month.

The North Vancouver RCMP says three assaults were reported between Sept. 9 and Sept. 23., two of which involve suspects with a similar description.

On Sept. 9, 2024, around 9:00 p.m., a man riding an electric bicycle near East Keith Road and St Andrews Avenue allegedly groped a woman while she was walking. 

Two witnesses reportedly chased the suspect, who was last seen riding westbound. Investigators are hoping to get in contact with the witnesses, a man and a woman, who have not yet come forward.

On Sept. 19, just before 2:00 p.m., Mounties responded to a report of a sexual assault on the Spirit Trail south of East 1st Street. Police say the victim was walking when a suspect riding an electric bicycle groped her from behind. He was last seen riding westbound on the trail.

Investigators have released CCTV footage of the suspect, hoping the public can help identify him.

On Sept. 23 at 8:45 p.m., a woman running southbound on the west side of Chesterfield Avenue near Keith Road was groped from behind by a suspect who was walking behind her. 

Police say the suspect was last seen running eastbound toward Victoria Park. He’s described as a 6-foot-tall man in his 30s with an athletic build and short, dark hair. He was wearing a dark coloured sleeveless shirt, dark shorts, and over-ear headphones.

“Although there appear to be similarities in each incident, investigators are not ruling out that there might be three different suspects,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak.

If you have information about any of these incidents, you’re asked to call North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file #2024-19636. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).