Police are looking for help identifying a man suspected of a choking attack on a 75-year-old woman in Burnaby last week.
The woman was walking near Keswick Park in the 9200 block of Government Street on May 20 at about 2:45 p.m. when she was attacked by a stranger, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release.
The woman was choked, and the attack left her with scratches, police said.
She was taken to hospital but has since been released.
The suspect in the case is described as a white male in his 30s, weighing about 150 pounds.
He has short, brown hair and was wearing a long black coat and a black mask, according to police.
They say the coat believed to have been worn by the suspect was discovered nearby and has been seized.
Security video of someone who fit the suspect's description and was walking in the area close to the time of the attack has been released in an effort to help police identify the man.
“The Burnaby RCMP is hoping someone may recognize the suspect seen in the video as our investigators try to track down the person responsible for this,” spokesperson Cpl. Michael Kalanj said in the release. “At this time, there is nothing to indicate what motivated this attack.”
Police believe the suspect might have fled after being spotted by a witness who helped the victim and called 911.
There have been no recent reports of similar incidents in the area, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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