May 13, 2016

Arrests Made in Two Sexual Assaults

Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers have made arrests in two separate, unconnected sexual assaults on the transit system.

1. On April 25, 2016, at approximately 6:40 pm, a woman who had missed her train at Main Street SkyTrain Station was approached by a man who asked her if he could buy her a coffee while she was waiting for the next train. When the train arrived, the man followed the woman on board and sat beside her, asking her to hold his hand. She replied that she had a boyfriend and was not interested. The man then slid his hand between the woman’s legs, groping her. She told him “No!” and he removed his hand.

The woman left the train at Granville Station and called the police. The suspect remained on the train.

Transit Police launched an investigation which included review of CCTV video. As a result of follow up, it was determined the alleged suspect is employed as a cleaner at the food court and mall adjacent to Waterfront Station. At 8:50 pm, April 26, 2016, he was arrested while working in the food court.

The suspect, a 53 year old Surrey resident, not previously known to police, was later released on an Undertaking with conditions to have no contact with the victim and not to be found at Main Street Station unless travelling through on transit. A charge of Sexual Assault has been recommended. He is to appear in Vancouver Provincial Court June 8, 2016.

2. On April 28, 2016, at approximately 7:50 am, a woman was ascending the escalator at Patterson Station when she felt fingers groping her between her legs. She turned, saw the man immediately behind her and followed him on to a west bound train. As she attempted to take a picture of the suspect, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her backwards. Both the suspect and the victim got off the train at Joyce Street Station with the victim approaching a SkyTrain Attendant who called police.

The victim was able to give Transit Police officers a good description of the suspect including his picture and his direction of travel. Officers searched the area, located the alleged suspect at Vanness Avenue and Rupert Street and took him into custody.

The suspect, a 29 year old Burnaby resident, known to police, was later released on an Undertaking with conditions to have no contact with the victim. Charges of Assault and Sexual Assault have been recommended. He is to appear in Vancouver Provincial Court June 28, 2016.

In both of these cases the immediate reporting of the assaults by the victims enabled officers to quickly follow up and arrest the two suspects. We are committed to taking every reported incident of unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and investigating thoroughly. We encourage anyone who is a victim or witness to this type of behaviour to contact us immediately.

Text us directly and discreetly at 87 77 77 or call us at 605-515-8300.

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