Police search for suspect in string of Saanich sex assaults

Police in Saanich are issuing a warning today after a string of sex assualts in the Gordon Head area, possibly connected to one suspect.

Police are warning women in the area to be on alert and avoid being in the park alone.

They say, after what appears to be a brief respite, the suspect was involved in two incidents Tuesday night in Mt. Douglas Park in the lower parking area, just after 5 p.m.

In one case, the suspect followed a woman into the ladies washroom, went into a stall next to her, and was later seen masturbating outside the washroom after the woman had left.

A very short time later, police say a woman walking on a path was touched inappropriately by a man on a bicycle. Police believe the two incidents are likely related.

As the Saanich Detective Division continues to investigate, the Saanich Police Crime Analyst has researched and found other incidents that could be attributed to the same suspect:

• June 13, 2016 – a suspect was seen masturbating in Mt.Douglas Park.
• June 27, 2016 – a suspect grabbed a woman’s buttocks near Quadra and Tattersall.

As a result of recent media attention, two more women contacted police to report possible interaction with the same suspect.

• On July 10, 2016, a female jogger near Blair and Larchwood was harassed by a male on a bicycle. The woman contacted police as the physical description and area of incident are consistent with the known suspect behaviour.
• On July 13, 2016, a woman reported a male with his pants undone coming out of the bushes in Mt. Doug Park.

There have been 11 incidents to date.

Saanich Police say they are concerned about these ongoing incidents, and want to identify the person responsible.

They are asking if anyone has encountered a person under similar circumstances, to contact police regardless of whether a criminal incident occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.