Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Arrested 29-Year-Old Burnaby Groping Suspect Commits Further Sexual Assaults After Release On Conditions

Darpan News Desk, 12 Dec, 2019 08:50 PM

    After a six-month investigation, 29-year-old Burnaby resident, Jorge Benjamin Bernal has been charged with four counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged groping incidents that took place in Burnaby.


    On April 12, 2019, Burnaby RCMP responded to a report that a teenage girl had been groped from behind by a man on Hastings Street in North Burnaby. The victim alleged that a man had run up to her, grabbed her buttocks and attempted to engage in conversation. The man then fled from the area. Burnaby Frontline officers attended the scene, gathered CCTV footage from area and isolated video of the man believed to be responsible for the groping.


    On May 8, 2019, Burnaby RCMP responded to a similar incident involving a teenage girl. The victim stated that she had been groped from behind on WiIlingdon Avenue in North Burnaby. The victim told police that as she was walking, a man approached her from behind, grabbed her buttocks, and attempted to engage her in conversation. When the victim challenged the man he fled the area. CCTV footage from the area was obtained by Frontline officers and the man was identified as being the same person involved in the April 12, 2019 incident.


    In mid-May, the Burnaby RCMP’s High Risk Offender Unit (HRO) took over the investigation. Using intelligence gleaned through CCTV footage and interviews of the victims and witnesses, officers traced the suspects movements which assisted them in identifying him. The suspect was subsequently arrested at a residence in Burnaby on August 21, 2019.


    A search warrant executed at this residence resulted in officers obtaining clothing which matched the clothing worn by the suspect on CCTV images acquired earlier in the investigation.


    Bernal was arrested and released on conditions. After his release, he allegedly committed two further offences.


    On September 20, it is alleged that he inappropriately touched a case worker who had been assigned to work with him.


    On November 6, it is alleged that he groped a community support worker who was assisting him with finding accommodation.

    Th
    is was a traumatic experience for these victims and our High Risk Offender Unit has been working on this investigation as a priority for a number of months, says Inspector Matt Toews, Investigative Services Officer with Burnaby RCMP. These investigators left no stone unturned and their diligence has resulted in serious charges being laid against the suspect.


    The suspect is facing four counts of sexual assault in relation to all the incidents outlined above. He is currently out on bail and must abide by 22 conditions including no contact with anyone under the age of 16, not to travel on any public bus unless travelling to an approved meeting or appointment and to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.


    Jorge Benjamin Bernal will appear in Vancouver Provincial Court on January 15,2020.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Storm Brings Snow, Wind, Power Outages To Large Sections Of B.C.

    Storm Brings Snow, Wind, Power Outages To Large Sections Of B.C.
    A nasty storm is sweeping across much of British Columbia, bringing heavy snow to central and northeastern parts of the province while powerful winds are forecast to batter much of the south coast and southern Interior.

    Storm Brings Snow, Wind, Power Outages To Large Sections Of B.C.

    WATCH: Activist Greta Thunberg Attends 'Post-Election Climate Strike' In Vancouver

    Swedish activist Greta Thunberg attended a climate rally in Vancouver today when 15 young people announced their plans to sue the federal government because of the impact they say global warming is having on their lives.

    WATCH: Activist Greta Thunberg Attends 'Post-Election Climate Strike' In Vancouver

    UBC's Anubhav Singh Becomes The Province’s First Food And Beverage Innovation Professor

    Singh is an assistant professor of food processing in UBC's faculty of land and food systems.

    UBC's Anubhav Singh Becomes The Province’s First Food And Beverage Innovation Professor

    NDP Government Lose Yet Another Court Case, ICBC Customers Stuck Paying For It: Andrew Wilkinson

    The BC Liberals are calling for John Horgan and the NDP to apologize to British Columbians for attempting to force unconstitutional changes to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) that will now cost ICBC customers over $400 million after losing yet another court case.

    NDP Government Lose Yet Another Court Case, ICBC Customers Stuck Paying For It: Andrew Wilkinson

    Candy Or Cannabis: Can You Tell The Difference?

    Take a look at the pictures below. Do you know which are cannabis edibles and which are regular candy, available in stores across the country?    

    Candy Or Cannabis: Can You Tell The Difference?

    Suspects Identified, Charges Pending After Teens Pepper Sprayed At Port Coquitlam High School

    Suspects Identified, Charges Pending After Teens Pepper Sprayed At Port Coquitlam High School
    Several suspects have been identified and charges are likely after a confrontation involving OC spray (pepper spray) at a Port Coquitlam school yesterday.

    Suspects Identified, Charges Pending After Teens Pepper Sprayed At Port Coquitlam High School