A 35-year-old New Westminster man has been charged with assaulting a young woman in Vancouver earlier this month, and police are urging a potential witness to come forward.
On July 6th, a 19-year-old woman was walking alone on a trail in the 3500-block of S.E. Marine Drive when she was grabbed by a stranger, who tried to pull her further along the heavily-wooded path.
A passerby heard their struggle and scared away the suspect, who fled east along Marine Drive.
Benjamin Palk Trussart, who is not known to police, was arrested on July 16th. He has been charged with one count of sexual assault. Investigators identified the suspect after releasing surveillance video taken at the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station the night of the attack and following up on several tips from the public.
Trussart is scheduled to appear in provincial court on Monday.
Investigators would still like to speak to the Good Samaritan who intervened in the attack. He is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-2644.
