Police in Vancouver are using a new high tech phone technology in hopes of drumming up information on a vicious serial sex attacker that has eluded authorities for almost two years.
The suspect is believed to be responsible for three attacks against women under 30 since Canada Day in 2009. All of the victims were in the Granville entertainment district beforehand and the assaults have been linked by DNA.
He appears to target women who are temporarily isolated late at night, when there are few, if any, witnesses around.
The Vancouver Police Sexual Offence Squad announced Wednesday it would place posters with QR, or Quick Response, codes on the backs of bathroom stall doors in downtown night clubs with information about "Project Scrimmage."
The QR codes are a small square barcode that can be scanned easily with a smart phone and allow the user to link to more information about the suspect.
Investigators are hoping using the technology will help the information reach a much wider audience.
"We're trying specifically to reach a demographic who may not have received the information through traditional media and television reports," Sgt. Matt Clarke said.
The website for Project Scrimmage contains surveillance video and photos of the suspect, as well as composite images.
The suspect is described as a well-groomed man who is tan or olive-skinned. He is in his 20s or 30s, with dark hair and an average build.
The first attack happened at 4 a.m. on Canada Day 2009, in the 1600-block of West 4th Ave. Two women were walking on the off-ramp of the Granville Street Bridge when a man suddenly appeared and grabbed one of them from behind. The 20-year-old woman was thrown to the ground and sexually assaulted. The suspect ran out of sight after being confronted by her friend.
The next incident was in November 2009, when the suspect sexually assaulted a woman in the lobby of her apartment building in the 900-block of Beach Ave. The suspect sexually touched the 25-year-old several times after she entered her building just past 1:45 a.m. He then fled the building and drove away in a four-door white car that was parked out front.
The last attack was on June 12, 2010, at Marinaside Cres., near Drake St.
Police issued a statement in January repeating their appeal for anyone with information to come forward, saying the victims had suffered a severe emotional toll.
"Our empathy goes out to the victims of this man," Sgt. Clarke wrote. "We owe it to them and every woman in our community to put him behind bars as quickly as possible."
The VPD is urging women to be vigilant when walking by themselves late at night, avoiding doorways and alleys.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call 604-717-0602.
