Police are looking for a masked man who sexually assaulted a woman Tuesday evening on a Maple Ridge trail.
The attack took place around 5 p.m. near McLure Drive and 240th Street and is the second in the area since the beginning of the month.
The woman was grabbed by the man and sexually assaulted on the Vine Maple Trail, which runs east from the 10600 block of 240 Street to McClure Lane, in the Maple Crest sub-division.
The man fled the area and the young woman managed to get to safety. She was later treated at hospital.
“This is the second similar attack in the last few weeks in this same area.” said Sgt. Dale Somerville. “All of our detachment’s resources, and some of the RCMP’s Integrated Specialized Units, are working on these files.”
Investigators are in contact with other police forces in the Lower Mainland, as well as the RCMP Behavioural Science Unit, to see if there are any links to similar cases, including a string of sexual assault at the Univeristy of British Columbia.
“This is a top priority right now,” added Somerville.
“At this time we cannot say that we are looking for one suspect, but there are some similarities in the two cases.”
The suspect in Tueday’s attack is described as being approximately six feet tall with dark clothing. The man had his face covered, which is similar to the incident that took on Thursday Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, a man wearing a balaclava grabbed the woman in her 20s from behind on a trail that leads from Zeron Avenue to the 10600 block of 240th Street.
Police are asking women to be extra cautious while walking in the area and if possible, avoid going out for a jog or walk alone.
Somerville also recommend that women to refrain from wearing headphones, or other items that may restrict their hearing and awareness.
“Carry a cellular phone, or anything that is capable of creating a loud noise, which is a good deterrent. Report all suspicious persons to police as soon as possible, and we will respond,” he said.
• Anyone with any information regarding this crime to call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251. To remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at solvecrime.ca. CrimeStoppers will pay a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
