METRO Vancouver Transit Police said on Wednesday that they have identified and arrested a man who allegedly groped a woman on board a bus in Vancouver.
On June 9 just after 8 a.m., a woman was on board a crowded 99-B Line bus travelling along West Broadway in Vancouver, when a man, who was not known to her, boarded the bus and stood directly behind her. While the bus was in motion, the man allegedly made inappropriate sexual contact with the woman. Two female bystanders on board the bus witnessed the alleged assault and confronted the suspect who fled the bus on foot.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police officers launched an investigation and were able to determine the identity of the suspect. He was arrested and released with several conditions, one being that he must not use or be found on any Coast Mountain Bus, pending his court date. Metro Vancouver Transit Police have recommended that Crown Counsel approve one count of sexual assault.
“While we would never ask anyone to put themselves in harm’s way, we wish to commend the actions of the two women who immediately came to the victim’s aid and contacted police. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to make an arrest and hold the suspect accountable for his actions,” said Sgt. Dustin Szakacs.
