VANCOUVER – Vancouver Police are hoping the public can help identify a suspected serial sex offender responsible for up to eight attacks.
Sgt. Matt Clarke, who heads the city’s sex assault unit, said just this week police were able to link three of the sex assaults by DNA.
But five other cases are being reviewed for possible links to the same man, who Clarke said is waiting for women on their way home from the entertainment district who are vulnerable, and then pouncing.
"We have asked you here today to seek your help in finding and stopping a serial sex attacker from hurting any more women in our community," Clarke said at a news conference Thursday.
"Our empathy goes out to the victims of this man. We owe it to them and every woman in our community to put him behind bars as quickly as possible."
The attacks began in the summer of 2009, Clarke said with the first occurring in the 1600-block of West Fourth near the Granville Street bridge.
The second took place Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 at 1:45 a.m. in the 900-block of Beach Avenue and the third Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 2:30 a.m. at Marinaside Crescent at Drake Street.
"The suspect has targeted women who are temporarily isolated late at night, and when few if any witnesses around. He preys on women who are under 30, and in these three cases the alleged victims were in the entertainment district prior to the attacks," Clarke said.
He told reporters that the suspect is either lying in wait for the women around the time the clubs are closing or is following them on foot or in a vehicle from downtown.
"All of the women suffered an emotional toll in these attacks and one of the women suffered scrapes and bruises from being forcibly thrown to the ground," he said. "We are looking for a man who is described as tanned or olive-skinned, in his 20s or 30s, with dark hair, an average build and of medium height and he was well-groomed."
Anyone with information is asked to call 604-717-0602.
Clarke said women need to remain vigilant until the man is caught.
"Walk with purpose using the street side of the sidewalk to avoid doorways and alleys," he said.
He also urged the suspect to call police himself.
"It is in his interest to turn himself in because he will be caught," Clarke said.
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