Vancouver police areincreasing patrols around Stanley Park after a seemingly-random assault on a female jogger Monday.
According to investigators, a man grabbed the woman from behind on a trail between Lost Lagoon and Second Beach at around 8:30 a.m. Monday. Heallegedly knocked her to the ground and groped her. Sgt. Randy Fincham said a daytime assault like this is rare, and police are responding accordingly.
“Police have upped their patrols in the park,” he said. “So what you’ll see this week is mounted members on horseback, bicycle members, foot patrols as well as community safety personnel and uniform officers on foot and in cars patrolling that area to make that a safe place to be for women.”
Sgt. Fincham cautioned runners in the park to remain vigilant, run without earphones or wear only one earphone, and stick to visible trails.
“Stay to the paved trails, or stay to the open trails away from the treed areas. Run with a friend if you’re concerned with your safety,” he said. ”At least have one ear open to what’s going on around you.”
Sgt. Fincham said police are “actively and very aggressively pursuing any leads” in the investigation.
On Wednesday police released a composite sketch of the suspect as well as pictures of a muddy jacket, gloves and Blue Jays hat found near the scene.
Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect described as an aboriginal man in his late 30s or early 40s who weighs about 190 pounds.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Lisa Rossington
