Saanich Police have issued a warning to the public after a string of five sexually inappropriate acts were reported within four days between July 4 and 7 in Gordon Head.
In all cases, a male described as 20 to 30 years old, and with tanned skin, is reported as using a skateboard or a bike. All five are also in the late afternoon, which leads investigators to believe they are most likely connected.
“We’ve had indecent acts in the past, such as masturbating, but these are of immediate concern because the suspect has engaged the victim and groped them,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Horsley. “Given that it’s similar in location, dates and time of day, they’re of concern as it is likely the same person.”
The first incident was Monday, July 4, at about 5:30 p.m. at Blair Avenue and Larchwood Avenue, when the suspect was riding his skateboard and grabbed a women on the bum. He was wearing a white baseball hat with red trim. Later that day, at about 7:45 p.m., a suspect (believed to be the same one) approached a women jogging through Lambrick Park. He was riding a skateboard, came up from behind, and put a hand up the back of her shorts.
On July 5, a suspect fitting a similar description was observed masturbating at around 5 p.m. in the 1500-block of Mileva Lane.
On July 6, another incident occurred in which a similarly described suspect rode his bike past a woman in the 1600-block of San Juan Avenue. The suspect was masturbating while he rode by.
The last incident was on Thursday, July 7, at about 6:30 p.m. A witness was walking her dog in the lower parking lot of Mount Douglas Park when a male exposed himself and ran away to get on a bike. Again, he was wearing a white baseball hat.
In all situations, the shorter male had darker skin or a darker complexion.
Saanich Police are hoping someone can lend some assistance as to who the suspect might be.
“Perhaps someone has knowledge of who this is, but at the very least, the public needs to be vigilant as this person is not afraid to engage people, which is of significant concern,” Horsley said.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the police tip line at 250-475-4356.