#METOO #TIMESUP

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP are looking for suspects in a pair of brazen daytime sexual assaults this week.

In a news release, spokesperson Cst. Crystal Evelyn says the first took place on Monday (Nov. 22) at about 3:30 p.m., near the intersection of Summit Drive and Notre Dame Drive. A teenage girl was standing with her back to a fence when she was sexually assaulted from behind. A suspect was seen heading toward Columbia Square on Notre Dame.

Suspect description:

• Wearing a blue toque with ear flaps

• Wearing a mask

• Wearing blue jeans and a blue jacket

The second incident took place Thursday (Nov. 25) at 5:35 p.m. on a stairway between Aberdeen Drive and Dunrobin Drive. RCMP responded to Dunrobin Drive after reports of a woman screaming. The woman told police she had been walking up the stairs when she was approached from behind and sexually assaulted. A police service dog attended but was unable to locate the suspect. Suspect description:

• Male

• Age 25-to-30

• Tanned complexion

• 5’8″ to 5’10” tall

• Hair to below the ears

• Wearing a dark beanie

• Wearing an unknown red-colored item around his neck area

• 
  

“If you saw or have any surveillance footage of a suspicious person in the area, particularly between 5:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. along Van Horne Drive or Aberdeen Drive, please connect with police as soon as possible,” said Evelyn. Evelyn says neither victim suffered physical injuries but attacks like these can bring significant emotional trauma. I have taught defensive tactics to teenage sexual assault survivors and have listened to their trauma and heard counsellors. RCMP say the cases are unusual in that they took place at a time of day when these areas are generally quite busy. Anyone with information on either incident, including dashcam or surveillance footage, is asked to call Kamloops RCMP, quoting file number 2021-40809 (Sahali) or 2021-41183 (Aberdeen)