Vancouver Police have identified a person of interest in a high-profile assault case involving a lesbian couple.

The VPD has also brought in its Hate Crimes Unit to help with the investigation.

The women kissed before they got off a bus near Hastings and Commercial Drive in September. They claim soon after, a man attacked them and punched each of them several times in the head.

One of the women was left with a pair of black eyes; the other wasn’t seriously hurt.

Last week, Metro Vancouver Crimestoppers released a picture of a man who was believed to be connected to the case. Several people phoned in with tips, which led police to a 45-year-old man from Burnaby.

At this point, investigators aren’t calling him a suspect. No charges have been laid.