Saanich Police are searching for a suspect who assaulted a 31-year-old woman in Rutledge Park last month.
The victim in question was a Victoria Buzz staff member who was walking home through Rutledge Park at 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 18th.
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As she made her way across, the unknown man wrapped his arms around her upper body from behind. He released her when she kicked her legs back at him and, without a word, fled the park towards Cloverdale Ave.
The victim, who has chosen to withhold her name, stayed in the park until police arrived with a K9 team and searched the area.
“I felt arms around my upper body and he pinned my arms down. I tried to shrug him off and struggle out but I couldn’t get my arms loose, so my immediate reaction was to kick backwards,” she said.
“Police said a dog was able to track a scent all the way to the Uptown area before the scent dropped off, which the constable said could mean that either the suspect got into a vehicle or into a residence.”
She was physically uninjured and has received Victim Services support.
The suspect, however, remains unidentified.
“I should feel comfortable in a well-lit park…”
He is described as a Caucasian man, standing 6’0″ to 6’3″ tall, with a skinny build, messy hair, and scruffy facial hair.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing dark pants, and a Mexican-style knit blanket sweater with black and grey stripes.
“I was very curious as to what he was after. I had my cell phone in my hand and was wearing my purse and he didn’t touch either of those things,” said the victim.
“Right now, I mostly just want people to be aware that it happened because it shouldn’t happen to anybody else and I should be able to feel comfortable in a well-lit park a block away from my home. I’ve always felt safe in that area before.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
