Edmonton Police investigating alleged sexual assault

Edmonton – The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating an alleged break and enter and sexual assault in northeast Edmonton.

Police say witnesses heard breaking glass and saw a man climbing through a ground floor window at a home in a townhouse in Abottsfield at around 9:30 Saturday morning. Witnesses then reportedly heard a woman screaming.

A 22-year-old woman who was alone in the home was allegedly physically and sexually assaulted by a man who appeared to be drunk.

“She managed to get away from him and lock herself into a bathroom,” says Staff Sgt. Shawna Goodkey with the EPS Sexual Assault Section.

The man reportedly left the scene before police arrived.

“She was quite lucky. The neighbours were obviously awake and aware and called 911 right away. She did as well,” says Goodkey.

Patrol Units and the Canine Unit searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

The woman was taken to hospital with injuries. She has since been released.

“She’s quite traumatized and probably will be for a long time. I suspect this didn’t just traumatize her but her entire family, and probably, likely that entire neighbourhood,” says Goodkey.

Investigators believe the man broke into the home for the sole purpose of sexually assaulting the woman, but they don’t know why he chose the home. The woman reportedly doesn’t know the suspect.

“We don’t know exactly what the motive was behind this, so, of course, we want people to be aware in the neighbourhood and pay attention of their surroundings,” says Goodkey.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his late 20s or early 30s. He’s about 5’8″ tall, with an average build and a clean-shaven face. He was wearing a white or light coloured t-shirt, blue jeans, black baseball cap, and large black-rimmed sunglasses at the time of the alleged incident. It is believed he may have had blood on his hands and clothing.

Police are working with the alleged victim on a sketch of the suspect.

Investigators believe the suspect is prone to violence, and should not to be approached.

“He smashed in a window with a brick and he then assaulted and sexually assaulted her so that’s very violent act,” explains Goodkey.

Anyone with information that can help to identify and locate this suspect is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.