Surrey RCMP believes five recent sexual assaults that occured in the city were likely committed by the same man.
Police released photos and composite sketches at a news conference and described the suspect as a South Asian man in his 30s,
Composite sketch of suspect released on May 18 now being re-distributed along with new composite from May 21 incident. Suspect described as a South Asian male, 5’10”, medium build, dark hair, with possible facial hair. Call us or @SolveCrime if have info. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/yJvSZ8lxcd
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) May 25, 2018
Beth McAndie of the Surrey RCMP's Special Victims Unit told, "We believe these three files are linked due to their geographic location and the identification of a suspect vehicle. Sometimes we see a series of incidents such as this after a person has gone through a personal crisis. If this is the case, we encourage you to come forward and speak with us."
RCMP say the incidents they're linking were all "groping" assaults. Believe connected because of geography and nature of attack. #SurreyBC pic.twitter.com/WHmt4ddZif
— Surrey Now-Leader (@SurreyNowLeader) May 25, 2018
Mounties also released traffic camera footage of a vehicle they believe is connected. The car is believed to be a grey or brown Honda Accord from 1998 to 2002, with rear tinted windows and a sunroof.
Suspect vehicle btb 1998-2002 grey/brown Honda Accord with rear tinted windows and sun roof. Have info? Call us or @SolveCrime. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/Q1GfeEgaBr
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) May 25, 2018
There were two public warnings issued this week alone following two different attacks.
The first assault happened on April 24. Police say a woman was walking in the area of 84th Avenue and King George Boulevard when a man walking in the opposite direction grabbed her arm and groped her. The man ran away when the victim screamed.
The second assault occurred early Sunday morning. Another woman was groped by a male suspect on Sunday as she walked near 144 Street and 76 Avenue at about 5:15 a.m.
On Monday, May 21, a woman walking east on 72nd Avenue at 134 Street was grabbed from behind an sexually assaulted by an unknown man, police say.
Anyone with information on any of the assaults is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-599-0502, or to leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.
