SURREY RCMP’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) is asking for the public’s assistance to identify the suspect in a sexual assault that occurred at Kwantlen Park in Newton.
Shortly after 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a sex assault at Kwantlen Park, located in the area of 132 Street and 104 Avenue.
The victim initially met the male suspect near 132 Street and 105 Avenue and they walked to Kwantlen Park together. Upon arriving at the park, the man produced a weapon and sexually assaulted the victim. The man fled the scene prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned male, with dark hair with a fade-style cut, possibly Middle Eastern, approximately 26 years old, slim build, wearing dark clothing.
Police believe there were witnesses in the area at the time of the assault. If you saw or heard anything, you are asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.
Initial indications are that this attack is linked to street-level sex work. Immediate steps were taken to inform sex workers in Surrey of this assault so they could remain vigilant to this additional risk.
The Surrey RCMP SVU works closely with and in support of the Surrey Woman’s Centre’s SMART Van initiative, who were proactive in distributing this message out, and the Surrey RCMP are also increasing police patrols to areas frequented by local sex workers. The decision to disclose that the victim is a sex worker is being provided to ensure that persons specifically in this vulnerable group can be aware of this incident.