Nanaimo RCMP asking for help after woman groped by stranger

RCMP are asking for the public’s help after a 19-year-old woman was grabbed from behind and then groped by an unknown man.

The incident took place around 5 a.m. Sunday near the Days Inn on Nicol Street in Nanaimo.

The woman told police she was walking to work when she hear a noise behind her from some nearby bushes.

Police say before she could turn, the man grabbed her then fondled her.

She fought back, and was able to break free of his grasp and ran in the opposite direction.

The suspect did not follow her.

Police say the woman was not injured but was shaken by the incident.

The suspect is being described as a white male, between 30 and 40 years old, around 5′ 8″ and 5′ 9″, with a medium build.

He has short dark hair, with an army-style haircut with greying on the sides. He had rough calloused hands with nails bitten off.

Police say he was wearing black or dark long sleeve jersey with a stripe at the cuff, white runners and long pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.