Abbotsford police are searching for a suspect after a woman was allegedly dragged into a public park, groped and struck by her assailant.
The 42-year-old woman was walking along Bourquin Crescent West last Thursday, near the boardwalk that surrounds Mill Lake, when she noticed a man walking behind her, according to police.
Investigators say he pulled ahead of her and entered the boardwalk and as the woman was about to pass by the entrance, he jumped out and grabbed her from behind, dragging her into a less-visible forested area.
In the ensuing struggle the woman was grabbed, groped and hit by her attacker before she was able to push him off-balance and run away, police say. The suspect did not give chase.
Police are now on the lookout for a white male between 30-40 years old, 5’9” tall with stubble and what appeared to be short dark hair. He was reportedly wearing dark track pants, white running shoes and a dark hoodie with a circular design on the front of it, police say.
Const. Ian MacDonald said police continue to recommend people walking late at night to travel in pairs and carry a cell phone with them.
“Most importantly, trust your gut,” he said. “If you think something is suspicious, if you think that there is a potential for danger for you, don’t hesitate to move to a place where there are more people.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.