Police have issued a warning to the public after a sexual assault took place near 72 Avenue and 196 Street on Jan. 7.
At 2:20 a.m., a woman was walking alone when a male suspect groped her from behind and tried to pull her to the ground. The victim fought the off the man who then fled on foot, said Surrey RCMP.
The suspect is described only as wearing a dark blue coat and black pants.
Another groping incident took place in Surrey Dec. 22 in the area of 92 Avenue and 120 Street. The victim was wearing headphones when she was grabbed from behind and groped by a man around 12:40 a.m.
Also in December, Langley RCMP asked the public to be vigilant when walking alone, after a young woman was groped outside her downtown Langley apartment. On Dec. 11, young woman called police to report she had been assaulted as she tried to enter her building.
A man in his mid 20s approached her from behind and groped her — she screamed and when her father heard, he gave chase, said police.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to catch the suspect. Nothing was said during the altercation, said Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy.
The suspect in that case is described as 5’8” to 5’11” tall, in his mid 20s, light skinned, and he was wearing black shoes, black pants and a black hoodie with white lettering on the left sleeve. He was last seen running north on 208 Street.
While there have not been any similar reports of this type recently, police are still asking the public to be vigilant when walking alone.
They recommend walking with a friend or family member, and removing an earphone in order to hear people and surrounding traffic. They also advise taking note of people who appear suspicious.
“Thankfully, neither victim was physically injured during these attacks,” Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann said of the two Surrey incidents. The Serious Crime Unit has taken over the case.
“Investigators at this time have not found any links between the two incidents. We are reminded of the need for all pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially late at night when walking alone.”
If you have any information about these cases call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).