STORY 10 ITEM 3

METRO Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who sexually assaulted a young woman at the Gateway SkyTrain Station in Surrey.

At approximately 10:15 a.m., Friday, September 6, a 29-year-old Japanese foreign exchange student walked into the Gateway Station to buy a transit fare. A man approached her, assisted her in buying a fare and then forced himself on her, repeatedly kissing and hugging her. She was finally able to push him away and head to the train platform where she boarded a train. The suspect left the station on foot, shortly afterwards.

The suspect is described as a white male, late 50’s, 6’ tall, 170 lbs., balding – short hair, clean shaven, wearing beige pants, possible green shirt, brown jacket, brown shoes and carrying a brief case.

The victim, who spoke very little English, was traumatized and did not report the incident at the time. Sometime later, she told her homestay host who encouraged her to report the incident to the Transit Police.

Transit Police say they believe that all transit users have the right to use the transit system without fear of harassment or assault and treat incidents such as this very seriously.

Anyone with any information concerning the identity of this man is asked to call Transit Police at 604-515-8300 or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

If you see something, say something: text Transit Police at 87-77-77.

 

IN another case, Transit Police arrested a 37-year-old White Rock man on Wednesday afternoon following a sexual assault on a Coast Mountain bus.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on January 8, the suspect was witnessed rubbing up against a 21-year-old female passenger in a sexual manner, while on the bus, which was travelling from White Rock to Surrey. Transit Police officers took the suspect into custody, without incident, shortly after the bus arrived at the Surrey Central bus loop.

Arrested and charged with one count of sexual assault is Sebastian Ramon Lopez. Lopez has been released on conditions. He is very well known to police with close to 150 previous police contacts, including nearly 50 contacts with Transit Police.