Mounties say a Sunday night attack against an 18-year-old University of British Columbia student does not appear to be related to a string of sex assaults in 2013.
According to RCMP, the woman was about to enter her home in Wesbrook Village when an unknown man grabbed her around her mouth and waist from behind.
The victim was able to break free causing the man to run away.
“This woman did the absolutely right thing. She fought off this man, causing him to release her immediately, and he fled away toward Wesbrook mall,” said UBC RCMP Sgt. Drew Grainger.
The victim then went inside her home and called a family member, who called police.
Officers, followed by a canine unit, searched the area but both were unable to track down the suspect.
The suspect is described as an olive-skinned male, 18 to 20 years old, medium build, 5’4 to 5’6 with spiky black hair. He was reportedly wearing a puffy army green vest, a dark long-sleeved shirt and dark pants during the attack.
The attack comes a year-and-a-half after a string of six sexual assaults were reported at the university. No suspect was ever caught..
Despite some similarities, Grainger said Sunday’s attack is “not quite the same” as the 2013 assaults.
For one, the suspect description in the 2013 sex assaults was described as “tall” and in his mid-20s to early 30s, while the suspect in Sunday’s attack is described as much younger.
Police also said “nothing sexual” took place in the latest attack, though it is unclear what the suspect’s motivations were.
Despite that, UBC RCMP are once again warning students to exercise caution when walking alone late at night.
“Although we believe this to be an isolated incident, as always, we recommend for the public walking alone late in the evening or early in the morning to remain extra vigilant of their surroundings and take every precaution to enhance their personal safety,” said Cpl. Brenda Winpenny in a press release.
Last year’s attacks prompted the university to start a safety working group to evaluate ways to make the 1,000 acre campus safer for students.
The group recommended installing cameras on campus, establishing closer ties between the RCMP and university as well as improving education initiatives related to establishing a safer and more respectful community.
Police are asking anyone who may have information to contact University RCMP at 604-224-1322 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
