A 35-year-old man is likely facing multiple charges after a pair of assaults were reported Sunday.
Around 8 a.m. on Aug. 15, a man was walking by a fast food restaurant at Commercial Drive and Broadway when the suspect approached him. Witnesses report the suspect sexually assaulted the man by groping him from behind, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) state in a press release.
The suspect fled the scene.
A few minutes later, the same suspect allegedly assaulted a woman. She was walking alone a few blocks away at Commercial Drive at East 12 Avenue.
The suspect allegedly pushed her against a fence and punched her, according to the VPD.
The man was arrested nearby and police expect to lay charges at the end of their investigation.
“These assaults appear to have been completely unprovoked,” says Sgt. Steve Addison. “Fortunately, witnesses called 911 right away and VPD officers were able to arrest the suspect before anyone was seriously hurt.”
Police are looking into whether these assaults could be connected to other recent assaults. In July, reports of "stranger sexual assaults" more than doubled in Vancouver.
“We’re continuing to investigate these incidents to understand the suspect’s motivation and to determine whether these cases could be linked to other stranger attacks in the city,” adds Addison.
Police are urging anyone who is assaulted or sees an assault to call 911 immediately.
