After releasing information regarding a recent string of Indecent Acts and Sexual Assaults in the Gordon Head area, Saanich Police are again updating the public on further incidents potentially related to a lone suspect in these crimes.
After what appears to have been a brief respite, the suspect was involved in two incidents last night in Mt. Douglas Park in the lower parking area just after 5:00pm. In one instance, the suspect male followed a female into the ladies washroom adjacent to the parking lot. The male went into an stall next to the female, and was later observed to be masturbating outside of the washroom after the female had left the public facility.
A very short time later, a female walking on a path in the park was touched inappropriately by a suspect male on a bicycle. Police believe the two incidents are likely related.
As the Saanich Detective Division continues to investigate, the Saanich Police Crime Analyst has researched and located other incidents that could be attributed to the suspect male.
1) June 13, 2016- A suspect was observed masturbating in Mt.Douglas Park.
2) June 27, 2016- A suspect grabbed a woman’s buttocks near Quadra and Tattersall.
Furthermore, as a result of recent media attention, two more females contacted police to report potential interaction with the suspect male.
3) On July 10, 2016, a female jogger near Blair and Larchwood was harassed by a male on a bicycle. The female contacted police as the physical description and area of incident are consistent with the known suspect behaviour.
4) On July 13, 2016, a female reported a male with his pants undone coming out of the bushes in Mt. Doug Park.
To date, there have been 11 recorded instances where the suspect male could be responsible for these interactions with female members of the public. Saanich Police are concerned about these ongoing incidents, and want to identify the person responsible. As park users, it is imperative that people feel safe when enjoying the many open public spaces in Saanich. If anyone has encountered a person under similar circumstances, we would ask them to contact police regardless of whether a criminal incident occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321
File 16-15779
S/Sgt Horsely