Police have arrested an 86-year-old man in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a six-year-old boy at Burnaby’s Metrotown mall Friday afternoon.
Officers were called to the Metropolis at Metrotown food court at about 4 p.m. Friday for reports a man had "grabbed and pinched" a six-year-old boy’s buttocks, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release.
The suspect fled the scene before police arrived, but a witness managed to capture a photo of him, according to police.
Police released the photo Saturday and urged anyone who recognized the man to contact investigators.
The suspect was identified within hours after a number of tips from the public, according to a police news release Monday.
An 86-year-old man was arrested and has since been released with numerous conditions, police said.
“Thank you to the media and to the public for sharing the suspect’s image. Tips received from the public were valuable to our investigators, and we appreciate the engaged citizens who contacted police to share information,” Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in the release.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com
