A Surrey man has now been charged in relation to the alleged beating and sexual assault of a woman in Vancouver.
On Oct. 12, at 2 a.m., a 25-year-old woman was leaving Gastown when she flagged what she believed to be a cab in the 100-block of Water Street.
She got in, and was driven to an area of East Vancouver, where she was beaten and sexually assaulted.
On Oct. 13, Vancouver Police issued a public warning and asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
A witness observed a minivan, similar to the one described by the victim, driven by a man matching the suspect description. This witness was able to note the licence plate and forwarded it to police. Detectives were able to quickly identify a person of interest.
Last Monday afternoon (Nov. 18), Vancouver Police arrested 50-year-old Stephen Lee Schienbein in Surrey.
Crown has now approved charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and assault. The investigation is ongoing and detectives continue to gather evidence.