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Vancouver police say woman assaulted on busy beach by man claiming to be masseuse

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 May, 2023 09:44 AM
  • Vancouver police say woman assaulted on busy beach by man claiming to be masseuse

UPDATED STORY: 

Vancouver police say a suspect was arrested and they're continuing to investigate after a woman was sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be a massage therapist on a busy downtown beach last weekend.

Police say the woman in her 40s was sunbathing at English Bay beach Sunday evening when a man approached her and began touching her before allegedly sexually assaulting her and walking away.

They say the woman called 9-1-1 and gave a description of the suspect, and a man was arrested after officers searched the area.

Investigators say charges have not yet been approved, but they believe the suspect -- a South Asian man in his 30s -- interacted with others at the beach over the weekend and police want to speak with people who may have seen him

EARLIER STORY: 

The Vancouver Police Department says a woman was sexually assaulted on a busy beach on Sunday by a man claiming to be a massage therapist. 

Police say in a news release the woman in her 40s was sunbathing at English Bay on Sunday evening when a man approached her and began touching her before allegedly sexually assaulting her and walking away.

Officers say the woman called 911 and gave a description of the suspect and a man was arrested after a search of the area by officers. 

Charges have not yet been approved by Crown prosecutors but investigators say they believe the suspect in his 30s interacted with others at the beach over the weekend and they want to speak with people who saw him massaging others at the beach. 

The VPD says the suspect is a South Asian man with a medium build and was wearing a black hat, sunglasses, beige cargo shorts, and a white and blue striped shirt at the time of the alleged assault.

Police say they can't name the suspect or release his picture as the investigation continues. 

 

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