Skip to main content

Police seek suspect after sexual assault on Lochside Trail in Saanich

A Saanich Police Department vehicle. (Saanich Police / Twitter) A Saanich Police Department vehicle. (Saanich Police / Twitter)
Share
Vancouver -

Police in Saanich are investigating a sexual assault that happened on a trail in the district last week.

The incident occurred on Lochside Trail between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6. According to a news release from the Saanich Police Department, a woman was walking north on the trail near Swan Street when a man approached from behind and assaulted her.

He was last seen walking north on the trail approaching Saanich Road, police said.

"Officers have been searching the area since the offence, including another report of him on the trail near Darwin Avenue, however, we've been unable to locate him," Saanich police said in the release.

Police describe the suspect as a white man between 30 and 40 years old. He stands 5'6" tall and has a stocky build and a "sandy-coloured long beard," police said.

The suspect was wearing a light-coloured toque, a pink shirt and blue jeans, and he was carrying both a black backpack and a black duffle back, according to police.

Investigators believe the suspect uses the Lochside and Galloping Goose trail network regularly.

Anyone who has information about the incident or the suspect should call Saanich police at 250-475-4321, police said. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.

Stay Connected