North Vancouver RCMP are warning the public and seeking tips after three sexual assaults on women in the Lower Lonsdale area.
Investigators issued a press release and video of a suspect on Wednesday following the assaults, which took place in September.
In all three cases, the victims were approached by strangers who groped them and then ran off, according to police. It’s not clear, however, if they are dealing with one, two or three different suspects.
Around 9 p.m. on Sept. 9, a man riding an e-bike groped a woman while she was walking on the 300 block of East Keith Road. There were two bystanders – a man and a woman – who witnessed the assault and chased the suspect, according to police. Investigators are hoping those witnesses will come forward as they may have information that could advance the investigation.
In that case, police describe the suspect as a white man, standing five-foot-11 with a muscular build. He was wearing baggy shorts and a baggy peach-coloured tank top at the time.
Just before 2 p.m. on Sept. 19, police received another report of a sexual assault involving a man riding an e-bike. The incident happened on the Spirit Trail between Ridgeway Avenue and Moody Avenue in Moodyville. Officers canvassed the neighbourhood and found CCTV footage of the suspect on his bike, which they are now releasing to the public.
On Sept. 23 at 8:45 p.m., a woman running southbound on the west side of the 700 block of Chesterfield Avenue was groped from behind by a suspect who was walking behind her. The suspect is described as a South Asian man in his 30s, standing six feet tall with an athletic build and short dark hair. He was wearing a dark-colourled sleeveless shirt, dark shorts and headphones at the time. He was last seen running east toward Victoria Park, according to the release.
“Investigators are working diligently on all three cases,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson. “Although there appear to be similarities in each incident, investigators are not ruling out that there might be three different suspects. Over the last month, extensive efforts have been made by serious crime investigators to identify any suspects. We are now at the point where we’re seeking public assistance to help further these investigations.”
Anyone with information about any of the assaults is asked to call North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.
