WEDNESDAY UPDATE: 

Choe Wing Ma, 59, was formally charged with sexual assault and robbery in connection with offences that allegedly occurred in Vancouver on May 23. His next court appearance is June 4.

VANCOUVER Police have arrested a 59-year-old Vancouver man for a violent sexual assault that occurred last Thursday in East Vancouver. The suspect was arrested without incident on Monday morning.

Investigators believe that on May 23, the suspect followed the victim home from a bus stop at 41st Avenue near Earles Street. The victim, a woman in her 20s, was allegedly sexually assaulted in her home around noon.

Police issued a public warning about the attack on Friday, and on Saturday, released images of the suspect and asked the public for assistance in identifying him. Investigators received numerous tips from the public.

Police will be recommending several charges to Crown Counsel related to aggravated sexual assault.

“Our detectives have been working tirelessly on this investigation. We would like to thank the public for their assistance in helping identify the suspect,” said Sgt. Jason Robillard.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the VPD’s Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0604 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.