Police calls on the rise at Topaz Park where recent sexual assault of teen occurred
Victoria police continue to investigate a disturbing sexual assault that reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning in Topaz Park.
Nancy Raycroft and her dog, Murphy, are regulars at the park.
"I’ve been here everyday for over 20 years," said Raycroft, who lives a few blocks away.
She has begun to feel unsafe coming to the dog park as more campers have been moving into the park.
"Especially after the assault that just happened," said Raycroft on Friday.
On Tuesday morning between, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., two men cornered and sexually assaulted a female exchange student along a pathway in Topaz Park, police say.
Topaz Park in Victoria is pictured on Dec. 9, 2022. (CTV News)It’s a crime that the Victoria Police Department is gravely concerned about.
"First of all, it is the nature of the incident, the targeting of the victim, the location in public, and the timing," said Bowen Osoko, spokesperson with the Victoria Police Department.
The assault went on for several minutes before the teenager was able to break free of the men. She ran to a safe place and told an adult about what had just happened.
"This young women did everything right," said Osoko. "She displayed courage and tenacity in a situation that would be terrifying and very dangerous."
The Victoria Police Department wouldn’t confirm if the teenaged girl attends the nearby school Ecole Secondaire Victoria High School. Many students do have to make their way through Topaz Park to attend classes in the morning.
On Friday, the principle of that school sent out a letter to students and parents, warning of the assault that had taken place in the park.
The letter reminded students to be mindful of their safety in and around Topaz Park.
The two men are described as being approximately 60 years of age with dark hair. Both were wearing dark-coloured clothing, large backpacks, and had dishevelled appearances.
Those two men are still at large.
"I did see those two guys come in," said Raycroft.
Raycroft was in the park on Tuesday morning before the assault happened. She saw the men enter the park as she was leaving.
"They caught my eye because they were dressed all in black with black knapsacks," she said.
Nancy Raycroft and her dog, Murphy, are pictured in Topaz Park. (CTV News)
GROWING CONCERNS
Over the past few months, police say calls to the park have increased.
"Topaz Park is an area where we’re seeing more concerns from the public," said Osoko.
"There’s been assaults, there’s been fights, there’s been some overdose calls, as well as calls involving crime and that type of thing," he said.
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of The Latter-day Saints backs onto Topaz Park. It is getting high-pitched mosquito speakers installed to deter people from sleeping in doorways and a fence is also being installed around the entire perimeter of the property.
It’s a sign of a growing problem in the park next door.
"If anyone saw anything, even if they didn’t see the incident, they think they may have recognized or seen these two men, it’s really important for them to give us a call," said Osoko.
The Victoria Police Department is looking for any dashcam footage or security video from Tuesday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.