Suspect arrested in series of recent sexual assaults in Surrey

Composite sketches of suspect released earlier by Surrey RCMP.

AT approximately 2 a.m. on May 26, Surrey RCMP received a report of an assault in the 14800-block of 73rd Avenue. A 17-year-old female youth was walking on 73rd Avenue when she was assaulted from behind by an unknown male. The youth was able to break free and the incident was quickly reported to the police. Officers in the area located an adult male driving a grey Honda Accord, and identified him as a person of interest.

Following subsequent investigation, the adult male was arrested on May 27 in connection with four incidents of sexual assault occurring on April 24, May 20, May 22, and May 26. He has been released from custody as the investigation continues and information is gathered for submission to the BC Prosecutions Service.

The circumstances of each incident:

* At approximately 1 a.m. on April 24, a woman was sexually assaulted as she walked in the area of 84th Avenue and King George Boulevard. The woman was grabbed by the arm and groped by a male suspect who was passing in the opposite direction. The suspect fled when the woman screamed.

* At approximately 5:16 a.m. on May 20, a woman was walking in the area of 144th Street and 76th Avenue when she was grabbed by the arm and groped by a male suspect who was passing in the opposite direction. The woman fought back and the suspect fled.

* At approximately 4:45 a.m. on May 22 (last week the police had said May 21), a woman was walking east on 72nd Avenue at 134th Street when she was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted by an unknown male. The woman broke free from the male and he fled on foot west on 72nd Avenue.

Cpl. Elenore Sturko

Surrey RCMP released the suspect’s composite sketches and said he was believed to be South Asian.

But on Friday, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko told The VOICE that they could not give out any information at this stage about whether the man they had arrested was South Asian or not.

Surrey RCMP had also released a photo of the suspect vehicle obtained from traffic cameras. It was believed to be a grey / brown 1998-2002 Honda Accord with rear tinted windows and a sun roof.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or go to www.solvecrime.ca