Man charged in violent sex assault in Vancouver

Vancouver police have arrested and charged a man in connection to a violent sexual assault in Gastown last month.

Fifty-year-old Stephen Lee Schienbein of Surrey has been charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and assault, police announced Friday.

A 25-year-old North Vancouver woman was leaving Gastown in the early morning hours of Oct. 12 when she flagged down what she believed was a cab.

The driver of the vehicle drove to an area in East Vancouver where he allegedly severely beat and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police said the woman was very traumatized by the attack.

Investigators released a public warning and description of the suspect and vehicle with a video in hopes of gathering more information.

Following their plea for information, a witness saw a minivan driven by a man matching police descriptions and called police.

The witness was able to give the license plate number to police and a person of interest was identified.

Schienbein was arrested Thursday afternoon and police said he has a previous criminal record.

Police said the suspect and the witness were not known to eachother.