Police are looking for more women who may have been the victim of a man wanted in half-a-dozen sexual assaults in the city.
Investigators say complainants were touched by a man riding past them on a bicycle. Typically the women were walking or jogging alone when they were accosted.
The assaults have occurred between August 26th and September 22nd at various times of day and the age of the victim varies from 13 to 28 years old.
The incidents have taken place in the city’s downtown core, as far east as the Highbury Avenue area and as far south as the Deveron Crescent area.
Det.-Insp. Kevin Heslop says police are worried because the suspect seems to be getting more brazen.
“Typically when they’re accosted, he will ride by them with a bicycle and touch them inappropriately as he drives by. That occurred on a number of occasions, in the first five assaults that we are aware of. On the sixth one he got off the bike and he did attack the woman. So we obviously have concerns that he’s escalating.”
The suspect is described as a black male with a light to medium complexion, in his late teens to early twenties, 5’6” to 5’10” tall, medium build with short black hair.
He rides a BMX or mountain bike style of bicycle.
Heslop adds “There are certain things people can do to protect themselves, be more aware of their surroundings, avoid isolated areas, if they can walk with others.”
Police are encouraging anyone who may not have reported a similar incident to contact them at 519-660-5842, online at project@police.london.ca, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.londoncrimestoppers.com.
