Man arrested after 3 sexual assaults in Oakridge area
3 attacks took place since Monday along Cambie Street between 37th and 45th avenues
Police in Vancouver have arrested a man matching the description of a sex assault suspect believed to have attacked three women this past week in the Oakridge area.
Sgt. Randy Fincham says the suspect was noticed and picked up by an officer patrolling the Cambie corridor, at around 5:30 p.m. PT Friday afternoon. He was taken to the police station for questioning, and now remains in custody.
Fincham says the man, a 25-year-old from Vancouver, matched the description provided by the three recent assault victims.
"In this case it was very fortunate that an officer who was fairly astute, who was paying attention to the description provided, obviously did have a look at the composite sketch that was provided by the first victim," Fincham said.
Fincham said no charges have been laid, and the suspect is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.
The three incidents that police believe are linked all took place in the past week in the Oakridge area:
- On Monday, May 12, a 22-year-old woman was pushed into some bushes and sexually assaulted near W. 37th Avenue and Cambie Street, at around 5:15 p.m. PT.
- On Wednesday, May 14, a 19-year-old woman was pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted near W. 45th Avenue and Cambie Street at around 11 p.m.
- On Thursday, May 15, a 38-year-old woman was assaulted at W. 42nd Avenue and Cambie Street, around 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
Fincham also said investigators will be looking into whether the three assaults are connected to a series of attacks last year.
"Last spring, we did we see series of attacks on the Cambie Street corridor. I believe they ran from the area of 23rd up into the area of 57th, just off Cambie Street," he said. "Investigators will be looking at those incidents from last year and comparing anything to the three most recent attacks."