Transit Police have recommended charges against two men, including a cleaner at a downtown Vancouver mall, following a pair of unconnected sexual assaults.

The first took place the evening of April 25, when a man approached a woman at the Main Street SkyTrain Station and offered to buy her coffee. Police said he then followed her onto a train, sat next to her, and asked her to hold his hand.

“She replied that she had a boyfriend and was not interested. The man then slid his hand between the woman’s legs, groping her,” Transit Police said in a statement.

He removed his hand after the victim shouted, “No!”

The woman exited the train at Granville Station and called police, who used surveillance video to identify a man who works at a mall next to Waterfront Station as a suspect. Officers arrested the 53-year-old Surrey resident the next day.

He’s scheduled to appear in court on June 8, where he’s facing one count of sexual assault. In the meantime, he’s been released on the conditions that he have no contact with the victim and cannot be seen at Main Street SkyTrain Station unless passing through.

The second assault happened the morning of April 28 at Patterson Station, where a man allegedly groped a woman between her legs while they were going up an escalator. Police said the victim then followed the suspect onto a train to get a picture of him.

“As she attempted to take a picture of the suspect, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her backwards,” Transit Police said.

Both of them exited the SkyTrain at Joyce Street Station, where the victim called an attendant who contacted police. Officers were able to find a 28-year-old suspect nearby at Vanness Avenue and Rupert Street.

The Burnaby resident, who is known to police, is facing charges of assault and sexual assault. He’s scheduled to appear in court on June 28.

Police said the fact that both victims immediately reported their assaults helped ensure arrests were made, and they urged anyone who experiences unwanted sexual behaviour to do the same.

Victims can phone Transit Police at 604-515-8300 or text tips discreetly to 877777.