Police are investigating a possible connection between the recent string of sex assaults at the University of British Columbia and similar attacks that took place last month on the Cambie Street corridor.
Three attacks in the past three weeks on the busy campus have been reported to police.
The campus newspaper, The Ubyssey, is reporting a fourth attack took place early Saturday morning, but police say no report has been filed.
At UBC, all the victims have been young women walking alone late at night. And all have been approached from behind, and groped or grabbed before struggling free. In the latest attack, the man punched his young victim in the face.
Police issued a public warning early in September after three women in separate incidents were also grabbed from behind along Cambie Street and are now exploring the link.
“That is something our investigators are looking into,” said Vancouver Police Const. Sandra Glendinning. “We are going to be liasing with UBC investigators to see if there can be a connection made.”
RCMP's Major Crime Unit is taking the lead on the investigation and are looking for a suspect described as a Caucasian man in his late 20s to early 30s wearing blue jeans and a hoodie.
Campus staff are also looking into installing more lighting and video cameras following a Monday meeting discussing ways to improve safety.
Anyone with information about the alleged assault is asked to call police at 604-224-1322 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber and The Canadian Press
