Vancouver Police are searching for suspects after three girls were groped Tuesday afternoon near False Creek.
“These girls were all near the seawall when a stranger on a bike grabbed them from behind and sexually assaulted them,” says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. “Each victim did the right thing by telling a trusted adult and reporting the incidents to police so an investigation could be launched immediately.”
The string of assaults began at Granville Island around 4:30 p.m. Two girls, both 11, were walking near the seawall when an unknown man passed them on a bike and groped one girl from behind. Police believe the suspect then followed the victims to West 6th Avenue and Birch Street, where he groped the second girl.
About 30 minutes later, a 15-year-old was running on the seawall near Science World when she, too, was groped by a stranger.
The suspect from Granville Island was a five foot four Asian man in his 30s with medium-coloured skin and black-framed glasses. He was wearing a blue hat, a grey t-shirt, and dark shorts. He appeared unkempt and was riding a red and white bike.
The suspect from the incident near Science World had dark hair and a dark ball cap, and was wearing a grey shirt, light-coloured or grey pants, and a dark backpack. He was also riding a red and white bike.
Investigators don’t yet know whether the incidents near Granville Island and Science World are linked, but think there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.
“We don’t know who is responsible for these crimes, but we’re working hard to gather evidence and identify the person or people responsible,” adds Sergeant Addison. “Until we know more, we’re encouraging people to be aware and to immediately call 9-1-1 if they feel unsafe or have information about a crime.”
Anyone with information about these sexual assaults is asked to call VPD’s Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0601.