VPD seeks person of interest in downtown stranger assault

Vancouver Police are releasing video and appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted by a stranger while walking downtown earlier this month.

"This woman did everything right. She fought off her attacker, got to a safe place, and called 9-1-1," says Constable Tania Visintin. "Her quick actions allowed investigators to secure important evidence, including the video we are releasing today."

The woman, 26, was walking near West Hastings and Hornby streets just after midnight on June 11 when a man she didn’t know grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her. After fighting him off, she chased the suspect away. The man, believed to be in his forties, was last seen running south on Hornby Street.

VPD immediately launched an investigation. After obtaining new information from the victim and video of a person of interest, investigators are appealing to the public for help.

"This was a very serious incident, and because the suspect is still at large we have concerns for the public’s safety," adds Constable Visintin. "We’d like to identify the man in this video and we’re asking anyone who recognizes him, or anyone who saw the assault, to call us right away and speak with investigators."