The Vancouver Police Department is renewing an appeal to the public for information regarding two attacks on women that occurred on May 4th and May 5th, 2013.
On May 10th, police released a video and still photos of a suspect believed to be involved in two separate attacks on women. The assaults happened a few blocks apart and within hours of each other.
The first attack happened shortly after 10:00 p.m. on May 4th, as a 22 year old Vancouver woman was walking on West Pender near Granville Street. A man followed her on Pender to Cambie Street where he pushed her into a parking lot and knocked her to the ground. The victim fought back believing the man was going to sexually assault her. He ran off when witnesses took notice of the woman’s screams.
The second attack occurred just a few hours later at approximately 2:30 a.m. on May 5th. In that case, a 26 year old Vancouver woman standing near the Cambie Pub on Cambie near Cordova Street was grabbed by a man and dragged into the south lane. The victim believed the man was going to sexually assault her and she also fought back. A witness intervened in the attack and the man fled westbound in the lane.
Officers have followed up on tips they have received, but no arrests have been made. Investigators still believe that there are witnesses that have not come forward and spoken with police.
Detectives with the VPD Sex Crimes Unit are again releasing video of the suspect and a photo of the hat allegedly dropped by the suspect during the second attack.
The suspect is described as white, 20 to 30 years old, 5’6″ to 5’10” tall, with a medium build. He was wearing long shorts, a dark sweater and a dark Detroit Tigers baseball cap. Police believe that the same person is responsible for both attacks and that the attacks were sexually motivated.
Anyone with information about either of the attacks or who recognizes the man in the video is asked to call the Vancouver Police at (604) 717-0604 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
