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Man grabs woman from behind in Saanich

Saanich Police are investigating an incident last week during which an unknown man grabbed a woman from behind.
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Saanich Police are investigating after a man grabbed a woman from behind Saturday night.

Saanich Police are investigating an incident last week during which an unknown man grabbed a woman from behind.

Sgt. Jereme Leslie said the 21-year-old woman was walking home from a bus stop near the intersection of Shelbourne Street and Feltham Road Saturday night when the man approached her from behind.

“The suspect ran up to her, put her in a bear hug and grabbed her breasts,” said Leslie.

The incident — which happened at around 9:30 p.m. and on a sidestreet — lasted a few seconds, said Leslie. The suspect ran away before the woman was able to do anything, he said, adding she was only able to provide a limited description of the man seen running towards Shelbourne Street.

“The suspect was possibly Asian, is approximately 5’3” tall, and had dark hair with golden tips which had a golden brown appearance,” said Leslie. “The suspect was wearing a dark jacket, and a black backpack.”

While the incident happened Saturday, police did not release information about it until Tuesday afternoon. What accounted for the delay?

“We had to get clarification on some of the information that was provided to ensure it was accurate for the public, and for the media too,” said Leslie.

The incident happened the release of a new survey that ranks Saanich among the safest communities in the Greater Victoria region, if not Canada.

“According to the recently released Crime Severity Index, Saanich is one of the safest places in Canada” said Leslie. “No matter where you live we encourage people to be aware of their surroundings, carry a cell phone with them and travel in well-lit areas when they can.”



Wolf Depner

About the Author: Wolf Depner

I joined the national team with Black Press Media in 2023 from the Peninsula News Review, where I had reported on Vancouver Island's Saanich Peninsula since 2019.
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