Police in Halifax are investigating another reported sexual assault involving a taxi driver in the city.
Officers say a woman reported on Tuesday that while taking a cab between the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on July 15, the driver of the taxi tried to kiss her, then locked the doors and touched her over her clothing without her consent while he waited for her to pay.
She eventually managed to get out of the cab and go to a friend’s house.
READ MORE: ‘We’re deeply concerned’: Halifax taxi industry on sexual assaults
The young woman was picked up on Lacewood Drive in what she reported was an older model, four-door white car with a roof light.
The driver of the taxi is described as being a man in his mid to late 30s, possibly of Middle Eastern descent, about 5’7″ tall, having short dark hair, an unshaven face and a pronounced nose.
The woman reported he wore strong cologne and had an accent.
‘Looking into the possibility of a connection’
Halifax Regional Police say they’re looking into the possibility that this incident is related to a series of sexual assaults involving taxi drivers that have been reported recently in the city.
“We are definitely looking into the possibility of a connection, the suspect descriptions are quite similar in quite a few of the instances,” said HRP spokesperson Const. Dianne Woodworth.
“Our investigators are looking into the possibility that this could be the same individual, with respect to at least a few of the instances.”
Woodworth said they’ve only laid a charge in one of the five recently reported incidents, she added police are looking at the possibility the person charged could be responsible for more of the recent assaults.
READ MORE: High number of reported sexual assaults in Halifax cabs a worry
The taxi industry in Halifax has recently been in a state of “crisis” after four other alleged sexual assaults were reported in just three months.
- May 6 – Woman reportedly forcibly kissed and touched after being picked up near Argyle and Prince streets
- June 4 – Woman reportedly touched in sexual manner after being picked up near Grafton and Blowers streets
- July 9 – Woman reportedly touched in sexual manner, kissed after being picked up on Barrington Street
- July 17 – Woman reportedly groped after being picked up on Leaman Drive
- July 15 – Woman reports man tried to kiss her, touched her sexually after being picked up on Lacewood Drive
READ MORE: Halifax police could drop use of ‘Middle Eastern’ when describing taxi sex assault suspects
Woodworth said the cab companies in the city have been cooperating with investigators, offering records and logs to help investigators find answers quickly, and evidence that will stand up in court.
“We wish it would be that simple that we could sum it up in an hour — that’s not reality,” Woodworth said.
Woodworth said they would not be releasing the names of the cab companies the suspect drivers worked for, as “it’s the individuals that are committing these crimes, it’s not the cab company.”
Officers ask that anyone with information about this incident or any other to call them at 902-490-5016 or to anonymously contact www.crimestoppers.ns.ca