SURREY — Police are looking for tips that could identify sexual assault suspects after two women reported they were groped in Surrey over the past three weeks.
Surrey RCMP investigators have not found any links between the two alleged incidents, the latest on Jan. 7.
Corporal Scotty Schumann said a woman was walking near 72nd Avenue and 196th Street at about 2:20 a.m. when a man snuck up behind her, groped her "and tried to take her to the ground."
She fought him off and he ran away, he said. The groper wore a dark blue coat and black pants.
On Dec. 22, at about 12:40 a.m., a woman wearing headphones was walking near 120A Street and 92A Avenue when a man grabbed her from behind and groped her, Schumann said.
Schumann said the groper ran away "after hearing police sirens in the distance."
The suspect is in his 20s, about five feet 10 inches tall, is medium-built and was entirely dressed in black.
Surrey RCMP's Special Victims Unit is investigating both cases.
"Thankfully neither victim was physically injured during these attacks," Schumann said. "Investigators at this time have not found any links between the two incidents. We are reminded of the need for all pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially late at night when walking alone."
Police advise pedestrians to walk with confidence, keep their head up, avoid wearing headphones, keep mobile phones and other valuables hidden, let someone know where they're heading, not top wear dark clothing at night, stick to well-lit areas and have their car or house keys ready before reaching their door.
Police also ask anyone with information about these incidents to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com