Victimized by a sexual offender for more than half an hour on a SkyTrain ride from Surrey, a young woman made sure police had enough information to arrest a suspect in Vancouver.
The woman boarded SkyTrain at King George Station on May 23 at approximately 4 p.m. The suspect, a 60-year-old Surrey man who is known to police, boarded at Surrey Central Station. Although the train was almost empty, the man took a seat next to the woman and allegedly placed his hand on her thigh. The woman tried to push the man away, but he continued to touch her for the duration of the trip to Burrard Station.
Although she was able to text her mother, the woman was too frightened to do anything else until she and the suspect got off the train.
The woman then followed the suspect while contacting Transit Police and watched him board a bus southbound on Burrard Steet. The suspect’s description was broadcast and Transit Police officers arrested him – on the bus – at Arbutus Street and Cornwall Avenue.
Following further investigation, the suspect was released on a promise to appear in Vancouver Provincial Court on Aug. 2 under conditions that include not to have any contact with the victim and not to be on SkyTrain or Canada Line property.
Transit Police commended the woman for providing a detailed suspect description and noting which bus he had boarded.
Anyone who is a victim or a witness to an incident can contact Transit Police by text at 87 77 77 or by phone at 604-515-8300.
