Victoria BC – A Victoria man is in custody after two incidents – a sexual assault and an indecent act yesterday.
Patrol officers were called to a business in the 600-block of Belleville Street late yesterday afternoon for a report of a sexual assault. When officers arrived, they were met by security staff, the victim and a bystander who had come to the victim’s aid. The victim reported that a male had approached her in a bathroom and sexually assaulted her. The bystander, who was also in the bathroom, intervened and drove the male away. The victim was not physically injured in the incident and did not require medical attention. The bystander reported the incident to security, who in turn called police.
Patrol officers were able to gather a description of the suspect and began to search for him. The suspect was not located at that time.
Just after 10:30 p.m. last night Patrol officers attended a parkade in the 500-block of Yates Street for a report that a male was committing an indecent act while following a female. The victim’s description of the suspect matched the description of the suspect from the sexual assault which had occurred a few hours earlier. Patrol officers located the suspect and took him into custody without further incident. The victim in this incident was also not physically injured.
The male faces recommended charges for the indecent act. The sexual assault investigation remains ongoing.
Our message to survivors of sexualized violence is We Believe You. For information on supports in reporting sexualized violence, please visit vicpd.ca/webelieveyou.
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