The Vancouver Police Department issued a warning Saturday that a man convicted of assaulting multiple women in the city's downtown core last year may have breached his parole.
Nicholas William Patterson, 44, was recently released after serving time for nine random assaults on women dating back to August 2009.
Police say he approached the women, sometimes claiming to be from San Francisco, and asked for money. When they didn't respond, he slapped them.
"This is somebody we're concerned about," Const. Jana McGuinness told CTV News.
Patterson's parole conditions require he stay out of downtown Vancouver.
On Wednesday night, a woman says she was approached by someone matching Patterson's description in the 600-block of Howe Street.
"She wasn't assaulted, but she was approached and a man said to her that he was from San Francisco," McGuinness said. "This is similar to the M.O. that Nicholas Patterson was using."
Patterson is described as a 5-8 tall Caucasian man, 181 lbs., with a stocky build, balding hair and green eyes. He may be wearing jeans and a bomber jacket.
Anyone who sees Patterson is advised not to approach him and to call 911 immediately.
