Nanaimo man charged with sexual assault after suspect image posted online
A Nanaimo man is facing one count of sexual assault after a woman reported she was grabbed around the neck and groped by a stranger.
The woman broke free of the man and posted a picture of him to social media, prompting a flurry of tips that led to the suspect's arrest less than 90 minutes later, according to police.
The assault happened around 1:20 p.m. Monday outside 55 Victoria Rd. in downtown Nanaimo.
The 27-year-old victim told police she was returning to work when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her around the neck and then groped her, the Nanaimo RCMP said in a statement Tuesday.
The woman broke free of the man and ran to her workplace while a coworker took a picture of the suspect as he was running away.
The victim called 911 and then posted the image of the man online.
Several police officers responded to the scene and searched for the man while tips began flooding in as a result of the social media post.
"This information was shared with police and resulted in the suspect being located at a nearby home and arrested without incident," the Nanaimo RCMP said.
"The victim in this incident did everything correct," Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O'Brien said.
"She fought back, she made noise, she told someone and reported the incident to the police. Then, by using her phone, a picture of the suspect was shared across social media, which ultimately led to his timely arrest."
Brett Ranger, 35, of no fixed address, was held in police custody and appeared in Nanaimo provincial court on Tuesday.
He is charged with one count of sexual assault and is expected to remain in custody until his next court appearance on April 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.