Banff RCMP investigate weekend sexual assaults

Banff RCMP are investigating two separate sexual assaults that occured over the weekend.

Police said on Friday at around 1 a.m. a woman was accosted while walking alone along Banff Avenue.

Mounties said she was sexually assaulted and the man fled after.

The suspect is described as tall with blonde hair and in his mid-20s.

Police said another attack took place just before midnight on the same day.

Officers said a woman walking along Lynx Street, was also accosted and sexually assaulted.

In this case, the suspect is described as being 5’6″ tall.

RCMP said they do not believe the incidents are related or that the suspects in each case are the same person.

Investigators said they are working to find both suspects as well as to calm community fears ahead of what is expected to be a busy Canada Day long weekend in the mountain town.

“I would say a random assault like this is very rare,” Sgt. Stan Andronyk with Banff RCMP said. “Banff is a very safe community and it still is. Yes, we had two incident in close proximity. We are putting a large amount of our resources into investigating.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Banff RCMP.