Violent sexual assault in East Vancouver was a stranger attack: police
Posted May 25, 2019 3:21 pm.
Last Updated May 25, 2019 7:44 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A recent violent sexual assault in East Vancouver appears to have been a ‘stranger attack,’ according to new information from Vancouver police.
RELATED: Woman followed home, sexually assaulted in Vancouver
The VPD released three photos and a video of a man suspected in the attack. The man apparently struck up conversation with the woman as she was walking home from a bus stop near 41st Avenue and Earles Street, followed her into her house and sexually assaulted her.
The woman’s first language isn’t English, and it’s not clear what the suspect was saying to her when he followed her to her home.
An update to a violent sex crime in East Vancouver. VPD have released images of a suspect. This happened on Thursday when a woman was followed home from a bus stop, and sexually assaulted in her home. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Y25KLkyfEl
— Taran Parmar (@Tarankparmar) May 25, 2019
The suspect is described as an Asian male in his 40s. At the time he was wearing glasses, a white tank top with shorts, and he had a blue backpack.
Const. Steve Addison says this was a stranger attack — the victim and the suspect didn’t know each other. A man struck up a conversation with the woman and followed her home where she was attacked.
Constable Addison asking you to look at the pics of the suspect, look at his clothes, the suspect’s hair and walk. Addison says it may be possible someone has seen him in the neighbourhood before. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Vn2tmobxCB
— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) May 25, 2019
He says it’s a high priority case, and they’re hoping to find the suspect right away.
“It’s a very serious offense and we’re asking everybody to take a good, long, hard look at these images. Look at the way the man walks, look at his hair, look at his clothing, look at his glasses, and give us a call if you know who this person is,” he says. “We believe that somebody out there’s going to see these images, see the video, and is going to recognize this person.”
VPD also releasing a short video of the suspect, who followed the woman to her home on Thursday. They’re asking anyone who recognizes him or knows who he is to call 9-1-1 immediately. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/d8VYEFVo2r
— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) May 25, 2019
He says anyone who knows who he is should call 911 so they can send an officer there right away.
Investigators are still collecting evidence, and no arrests have been made.
Police are asking anyone who has seen the man to call 9-1-1 immediately.