Woman attacked by man in Kelowna
A woman was assaulted and dragged off a sidewalk by a skateboarder before being able to get away from her attacker, Kelowna police say.
The woman was walking near the corner of Richter Street and Elliot Avenue at midnight Friday when the attack occurred.
A man on a skateboard had followed her for several blocks and even spoken casually to her, but the woman did not feel immediately threatened by him.
“That changed quickly, when the suspect allegedly chased after the female, tackled her, and dragged her onto a property in the 2000 block of Richter Street,” says Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey.
“RCMP credit the woman for her strong will, as she managed to free herself and get away,” O’Dongahey says.
A passing motorist stopped to help when he saw the woman being chased. The woman jumped into the Good Samaritan’s truck and the attacker ran off.
The woman went immediately to the downtown RCMP detachment where she reported the incident.
Police forensic investigators have combed the scene of the attack for clues, while other police are canvassing the area for witnesses and video surveillance tapes.
The suspect is described as Caucasian, possibly part Filipino, in his early 20s, with a medium build and shoulder-length brown and black hair.
In his haste to get away, the attacker left behind the skateboard he had been riding.
Police ask anyone with information about the assault to call the detachment at 250-762-3000 or provide the information anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.