EDMONTON - Police are investigating an assault in the Whyte/Garneau area of Edmonton that they believe may be connected to seven other attacks in the area.
It was 2:30 am on Sunday, June 17th when a 22-year-old woman was assaulted while walking in the area of 111th street and University Avenue.
The woman was assaulted from behind by an unknown male, who allegedly hit her several times and attempted to pull down her skirt.
She screamed and was able to escape from her attacker. She did not require medical attention.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with very pale skin, in his late 20's, between 5'8" and 5'11" with very short blond hair, medium to heavier build, and was wearing a white puffy shirt or jacket.
"The MO in this incident is very similar to the assault that occurred on April 29," says Det. Hao Ly, one of the investigators of the series of assaults. "We believe this assault has a connection to the other incidents, but there may be more than one suspect."
In the other seven cases, a woman - ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old - was assaulted from behind while walking late at night.
"It's a little scary, a little unnerving," says Karen Paincaud who lives in the University area. "I think there's a lot of trust in this area so it's hard when you hear of someone coming along and abusing women."
"But I mean what else can you do other than take precaution?" For Paincaud, those precautions include making sure she's with someone, or someone at least knows where she's going, as well as not venturing too far.
The Students Union also has a Safewalk program that provides a radio dispatched accompaniment from 9 pm to 1 am. That service is open to anyone in the community.
Police are warning women not be walking alone late at night and to avoid dimly lit areas surrounded by trees.
- The assaults, which have been getting increasingly violent, have taken place on the following dates in 2012:
- March 18 - 3 a.m. in the area of 84 Avenue and 107 Street
- March 20 - 11:30 p.m. in the area of 81 Avenue and 87 Street
- March 28 - 10 p.m. in the area of 81 Avenue and 85 Street
- March 31 - 2 a.m. in the area of 84 Avenue and 117 Street
- April 1 - 2 a.m. in the area of 84 Avenue and 107 Street
- April 13 - 4:30 a.m. in the area of 64 Avenue and 109 Street
- April 29 - 3 a.m. in the area of 79 Avenue and 107 Street
Investigators are also hoping to speak to a group of young men who were outside of a residence just west of 111 Street, on 80 Avenue, between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Police believe they may have information about the case.
"We would like to speak with these young men and we encourage them to call the non-emergency complaint line to get in touch with us," says Det. Hao Ly.
If you have information about any of the cases, you are asked to call the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567, or you can submit information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
Police remind citizens that they should always be aware of their surroundings and that suspicious activity should be reported to police immediately.
With files from Jenna Bridges, Global News
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.