Burnaby Mounties are expected to provide an update on the recent rash of sexual assaults in the city later Monday.
There are also unconfirmed reports of another assault Sunday afternoon in the Shellmont Street area. It would be the fourth sexual assault in the last five weeks.
The most recent confirmed assault happened in the Heights just before 2 a.m. Tuesday morning when a Burnaby woman was walking home from a Hastings Street bus stop. An unknown man approached her from behind, placed one hand over her mouth, pulled her toward the bushes and attempted to grope her, according to Burnaby RCMP.
Police said the victim screamed and fought to get free, which caused the suspect to then flee northbound on Springer Avenue across Francis Street.
Mounties note Tuesday morning’s incident is the second sexual assault involving groping in the area in the last four weeks.
While investigators cannot say definitely if the two incidents are linked, RCMP Cpl. Daniela Panesar said police are asking the public to remain vigilant, especially when walking alone in the late evenings in the area.
“These are all personal assaults, they are definitely a priority for us to solving and finding the alleged suspect,” she told the NOW, adding investigators are hoping someone may have seen something and will come forward with information.
The alleged suspect is described as a Caucasian man, taller than five feet eight-inches with a medium build. He was wearing dark clothing including a dark hooded jacket.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to call the Burnaby RCMP’s Investigative Support Team at 604-294-7922 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
On Jan. 29, a woman was walking home near Springer and Braelawn Drive at about 10:30 p.m., when she was approached by a man from behind. Investigators say the suspect, unknown to the victim, restrained her arms and groped her. Then, he allegedly hit her and fled south on Springer before turning east on Broadway
The most recent assault comes on the heels of a disturbing daytime assault along the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail near the Lougheed Town Centre area.
The incident happened Feb. 18 when a woman, walking along a path on the trail around 12:40 p.m., was approached by a man and sexually assaulted.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said the incident happened off the main trail on a smaller path that connects to Government Street. The suspect fled into the bushes toward Lougheed mall.
The suspect in that case remains at large.
