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
Wildfire smoke from Canada disrupts New York flights
Some flights into the New York City area on Wednesday were delayed and some briefly halted because of reduced visibility from wildfire smoke from Canada.
WATCH
WATCH | Rate hike 'may be the last straw' for some homeowners: mortgage broker
With the latest hike bringing Canada's key interest rates to levels not seen since 2001, one mortgage broker is warning that it may be 'the last straw' for some homeowners with variable mortgages.
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Wrestling icon The Iron Sheik dead at 81
World Wrestling Entertainment legend The Iron Sheik has died. He was 81.
opinion
opinion | Eight takeaways from Prince Harry's seven hours on the witness stand
It's been a busy, tumultuous few days for Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex as he took his place on the witness stand in his trial against the Mirror Group Newspapers. Here are royal commentator Afua Hagan's top takeaways from his two-day grilling.
Have rising home prices driven you to leave Canada? We want to hear from you
The Bank of Canada's latest decision to raise its key interest rate comes at a time when many are struggling to afford their homes. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from people in Canada who are going to great lengths to find affordable housing.
Wildfire smoke blankets Ontario, Quebec, air quality plummets, affects activities
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Calgary mass killer Matthew de Grood seeks 'absolute discharge'
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Vancouver
-
Cold records set in 2 B.C. regions as temperatures rise across the South Coast
As the weather heats up across B.C.’s Lower Mainland this week, other areas of the province are setting records for cool temperatures.
-
$100K reward offered in exchange for help finding one of Canada's most wanted men: VPD
A reward of $100,000 is up for grabs as police in Metro Vancouver renew calls for help finding 36-year-old Cody Timothy Casey—a man wanted Canada-wide for a total of 17 drugs and firearms offences.
-
Lacrosse through the ages: New Westminster Salmonbellies celebrate 135th anniversary
The pounding sounds of running on hardwood, the smash of the ball hitting the boards and the cheer of the crowd—it’s officially lacrosse season at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster.
Edmonton
-
Calgary mass killer Matthew de Grood seeks 'absolute discharge'
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
-
Hit-and-run leaves pedestrian seriously injured: Edmonton police
A pedestrian was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in northeast Edmonton Tuesday night.
-
Semi driver killed in crash northwest of Edmonton
One person is dead after a crash involving a semi truck northwest of Westlock on Tuesday.
Toronto
-
Toronto air quality reaches 'high risk' level due to Ontario, Quebec wildfire smoke
The air quality in Toronto has become so polluted due to forest fires in Quebec and Ontario that strenuous outdoor activities could leave you coughing and with an itchy throat.
-
Indigo founder Heather Reisman retires, almost half of board steps down
Indigo founder Heather Reisman announced she is retiring as almost half of the book retailer's board of directors steps down.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | One person dead following fire in Toronto's west end
One person is dead following a fire at a commercial building in Toronto’s west end, says Toronto fire.
Calgary
-
Calgary mass killer Matthew de Grood seeks 'absolute discharge'
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
-
Mikael Backlund named finalist for King Clancy Award
Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund was named a finalist for the King Clancy Award by the NHL Wednesday.
-
Heat warning in place for Calgary and surrounding areas
It's going to get hot in Calgary and several other communities, Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning.
Montreal
-
Over two dozen municipalities take Quebec to court over French-language law
The coalition of 23 Quebec municipalities are challenging the French-language law (Bill 96) on the following points: contracts and communication, the obligation to adopt resolution to maintain bilingual status, illegal searches and seizures, government grants and the obligation to discipline employees.
-
Wildfires force more communities to be evacuated in Quebec
Further evacuations are necessary in Abitibi and Nord-du-Québec due to forest fires. Although the situation has improved on the North Shore due to rain, no precipitation is expected further west until Monday.
-
Conservative leader says French-language law makes Quebec a 'laughingstock'
In an interview on CJAD 800 Radio, Quebec Conservative Party leader Eric Duhaime said the new measures in place related to Quebec's ammendments to the French Language Charter have made Quebec a 'laughingstock' and that phone and website messages are 'offensive.'
Atlantic
-
Shelburne volunteer fire chief says wildfire efforts have 'been a fight'
The chief of the Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department says the blaze near Barrington Lake, which is now classified as “held,” is unlike anything he’s ever seen.
-
IN PHOTOS: Damage, destruction left behind by Halifax-area wildfire
Halifax media outlets were given a tour of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the Tantallon wildfire Tuesday afternoon and saw firsthand the damage and destruction left behind.
-
Irving Oil weighing its options, including the possible sale of its assets
Irving Oil says it’s undertaking a “strategic review” with an eye to its future. In a release Wednesday, the company says it’s looking at a number of options, including the sale of its assets.
Winnipeg
-
Car crash causing Wednesday morning road closures on Main Street
A section of Main Street is closed on Wednesday morning following a car crash in the area.
-
Rossbrook House workers receive Order of Canada
Two women who spent four decades helping youth in Winnipeg have received Canada’s highest civilian honour.
-
Downtown Winnipeg building could become new hotel
Big changes could be coming to a large, empty building on Broadway in Winnipeg.
Kitchener
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Six Region of Waterloo councillors announce support for amalgamation
One unified city – that’s what six Region of Waterloo councillors say they want when it comes to the future of the region’s municipal governance.
-
Air quality expected to reach 'high risk' level in Waterloo region today
High levels of air pollution have developed in Waterloo region and Wellington County as smoke plumes from wildfires burning in Quebec and northeastern Ontario continue to blow into the region, Environment Canada says.
-
Plan to build tallest towers in Kitchener sees pushback at neighbourhood meeting
The plan to build what would be the tallest towers in Kitchener came under the scrutiny of those who would be living nearby.
Regina
-
As temperatures soar, Regina parents keep kids home from schools with no air conditioning
With no air conditioning available at their kids' schools, some Regina parents are opting to keep their children home as temperatures rise.
-
'He's here in spirit': Family and friends of Haven Dubois begin march to Ottawa
Family and friends gathered at the spot Haven Dubois's mother pulled his body from the water eight years ago, ready to embark on a cross Canada journey in his honour.
-
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Barrie
-
Multiple 1,000lb pieces of construction equipment stolen from Barrie site
Police in Barrie are investigating after construction equipment was allegedly stolen from an active site in the city's south end.
-
Total fire ban issued for several areas in Simcoe County
Multiple municipalities across Simcoe County are under fire bans amid tinder-dry conditions igniting concerns about the potential dangers of out-of-control fires.
-
Local artistic duo create new mural in Barrie's downtown
Another touch of beauty and inspiration has been added to Barrie's downtown through the local duo Clandestinos Art.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon bakery sees business rise after hiring newcomers from Ukraine
A willingness to hire newcomers to Canada has brought new business to Nestor’s Bakery.
-
Saskatoon driver crashes into laundromat
There were no injuries reported after a car crashed through the front of a Saskatoon laundromat.
-
Saskatoon garage fire could be arson, investigator says
A Saskatoon fire investigator says a blaze that destroyed a garage in the Kelsey Woodlawn neighbourhood on Tuesday could be arson.
Northern Ontario
-
Wildfire west of Sudbury prompts evacuation order, total active fires in northern Ont. grows to 54
A northern Ontario forest fire that started west of Sudbury on Sunday morning has grown to more than 1,000 hectares and has prompted officials to issue an evacuation order for the immediate area as the number of active fires in the region grows.
-
Two winning tickets sold for Tuesday's $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
Two lucky lottery ticket holders in British Columbia and Ontario will split the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.
-
‘Incompetent’ northern Ont. doctor loses his license to practise medicine
A northern Ontario doctor has been stripped of his medical licence for conduct described as “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.”