Police hunt man in two sex attacks

Saanich police are looking for a man who might be connected with two sexual assaults in Gordon Head.

The first assault occurred about midnight on June 11 when two women in their 20s were walking in the 4000 block of Larchwood Drive, between Feltham Road and McKenzie Avenue.

Police said one of the women had to urinate. As she knelt down near some bushes, a man on a dark grey or black bicycle with thin red rim tires approached, jumped off his bike and landed on her. He sexually assaulted her before getting back on his bike and riding off.

A similar incident took place Friday just before 11:30 p.m. in the 4100 block of Torquay Drive, near Shelbourne Street.

One of the women in a group of four needed to urinate and walked down a pathway for privacy. As she knelt, a man ran at her, causing her to fall backward.

The man then stood over her and sexually assaulted her, police say. The woman yelled to the rest of her group and the man fled.

Police said the description given by the women is similar, but it’s unclear whether the same man was involved in both incidents.

The women described the man as white and between 18 and 25 years old, with a thin build, a thin face and short brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a grey hooded sweatshirt.

Officers from the patrol and detective divisions are investigating, said Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie. “We’re asking anyone that may know the suspect, or that has any additional information, to contact us.”

Saanich police can be reached at 250-475-4321. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).