Police believe one man is responsible for all three sexual assaults on UBC campus

UBC RCMP say a third sexual assault has occurred on campus, and that one man is responsible for all three attacks.

Early Saturday morning, just after midnight, a 17-year-old female student was walking alone on the UBC campus in the 2500-block of West Mall. She was approached from behind by an unknown man who emerged suddenly from a wooded area.

The man placed his hands around the girl’s hips and tried to drag her into the woods. During the attack the man also ripped at clothing the student was wearing under her skirt.

The girl struggled and managed to break free. She screamed for help and the man ran away.

This is the third sexual assault in just a few weeks. The first occurred on September 28, and the second on October 13.

The suspect is described as Caucasian, late 20s to early 30s . He is about 6′ 2″ tall with a thin build. He has short cropped hair and was wearing blue jeans and a dark hoodie. Police say the attacker possibly has an American accent.

“This assault series has become University RCMP Detachment’s top priority,” says Sgt. Drew Grainger.

“We are engaged with many partner law enforcement agencies to attempt to identify and apprehend the person or persons responsible for these attacks. The RCMP would also like to reinforce the continued strong message for all citizens who walk through the Campus at night to exercise every precaution to ensure their own personal safety”

UBC RCMP say they are focusing their patrols on specific areas following sexual assaults.

The UBC detachment is also working with Vancouver Police and Transit Police, and say they believe the same man may be responsible for at least one other sexual assault. This one took place on Alma Street in Vancouver, also involving a UBC student.

Police are asking for the public’s help to identify the man responsible for this incident. Please provide any information to the University RCMP at 604-224-1322 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS