Vancouver police release images of sexual assault suspect
Posted May 9, 2023 11:05 am.
Last Updated May 9, 2023 11:06 am.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is releasing images of a man it says is wanted in relation to a series of sexual assaults in the city.
The VPD says that since April 27, four women have come forward with reports of being sexually assaulted while walking at night. Investigators believe the same man is responsible for each incident.
Police say all four reported cases happened in the neighbouring areas of BC Place and Rogers Arena, near Vancouver’s downtown core. Each time, the woman targeted was aged between 25 and 40 years old.
Vancouver police are releasing images of a suspect wanted in relation to sexual assaults near the city’s downtown core. (Supplied: Vancouver Police Department)
The first incident happened on April 27 when a woman was walking near Pender and Abbott streets around 9 p.m. She was allegedly approached by a stranger from behind and groped.
The second incident happened just moments later, police say, when a woman was walking near East Georgia and Beatty streets when she was also groped.
Police say both women called police right away.
Two days later, on April 29, a woman was standing near West Georgia and Beatty streets when she alleges she was groped by a stranger. The VPD says just two hours later, another person was assaulted near West Georgia and Hamilton streets, around 11:15 p.m.
Vancouver police are releasing images of a suspect wanted in relation to sexual assaults near the city’s downtown core. (Supplied: Vancouver Police Department)
“Detectives from VPD’s Sex Crimes Unit spent several days canvassing the neighbourhoods for information, and speaking with concierges at apartment buildings in the area. Investigators were able to retrieve images of a man, which VPD are now releasing to the public,” the VPD said in a statement Tuesday.
Police describe the suspect as 5’5″ tall, and appears to be aged in his 30s. At the time of the incidents, police say the man was wearing glasses and had a moustache.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incidents or the suspect, to contact the VPD Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0602.
