VANCOUVER Police are warning the public after two women were approached by a suspicious man, and a third woman was sexually assaulted, early Wednesday morning in East ‎Vancouver.

Just before 12:30 a.m., a 22-year-old woman was walking in the area of Monmouth Avenue and Joyce Street when she was approached by a man from behind who asked her not to move. Concerned for her safety, she ran out of the area and called police.

At about‎ 1 a.m., a 34-year-old woman near Joyce Street and Vanness Avenue was entering an apartment building when she was grabbed from behind by a stranger. She screamed and the man ran off.

Around 2 a.m., a 21-year-old woman on East 46th Avenue near Doman Street was grabbed from behind by a man. He pulled her into bushes outside an unoccupied house where she was sexually assaulted.‎

In all of the incidents, t‎he suspect was described as a man who was 20-40 years old, 5’6″-5’8″ tall wearing dark clothing.

“We are encouraging anyone with information about these attacks, or who witnessed suspicious activity in the area, to contact police,” said VPD Staff-Sgt. Randy Fincham. “We are advising the public to look out for one another, while officers work diligently to identify and locate the attacker.”
Anyone with information about these attacks, or who may know the identity of this suspect, is asked to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-3720 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.