As Burnaby RCMP continue to hunt for the suspect or suspects behind a rash of sexual assaults in North Burnaby, there has been one development in the investigation.
A day after police appealed for a Good Samaritan, who helped chase off a suspect on the recent assault, to come forward, he did so.
Burnaby RCMP sent out this tweet Tuesday: “Good Samaritan located: Thank you to everyone for your assistance w/ this investigation.”
But so far, a suspect remains at large.
Since the end of January, there have been five sexual assaults in North Burnaby, with the most recent on March 6 when a woman walking along the Burnaby Mountain Trail was approached by an unknown man and sexually assaulted. The woman was taken to hospital and received treatment.
Three assaults near Holdom were described by police as “groping” while the two others were more serious.
RCMP said it is too early to say if the incidents are linked. However, some of them have similar characteristics.
Meanwhile, the recent incidents have the community on edge, but one criminologist doesn’t believe people need to live in fear.
Rob Gordon, with SFU’s criminology department, said the recent incidents serve as a good reminder for people to be aware of their surroundings.
“People just have to take care… but these incidents remind us of the importance of doing that,” he told the NOW.
Gordon also offered some possible insight into the suspects responsible, and what the police might be doing to catch them.
“Usually these (assaults) involve a bit of planning. This character has obviously identified a flow of potential victims and waited for the opportunity to assault them,” he said, adding that while sex offenders don’t always leave trademarks, they tend to follow the same pattern of conduct.
Gordon also suggested the primary purpose behind such attacks is sexual gratification, which also comes from the fear he induces on his victims.
He said it’s unlikely this is the first time the suspect committed this type of crime and chances are this is the “tip of an iceberg.”
As for the investigation, Gordon said police will also be looking to see who in the neighbourhood has a criminal record and also seeing if these crimes match up with recent assaults in Vancouver.
Gordon also said it’s possible as police begin to investigate the crimes aggressively, the person may end up getting scared and moving out of the area.
