Police seek public assistance in Boundary Creek Provincial Park assault
By Boundary Sentinel
S/Sgt. Annie Linteau, E Division Senior Media Relations Officer with the RCMP said in a media release Thursday, police are continuing their investigation of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred on Tuesday (July 4, 2017) between 9:30-9:50 a.m. at the Boundary Creek Provincial Park, located four kilometres west of Greenwood.
Linteau said a woman reported that she was travelling alone in her vehicle on Highway 3, just west of Grand Forks, when she observed a man in a newer silver Toyota SUV pull up beside her and look at her before pulling in behind her.
“The woman reported being followed by this man until she decided to pull her car into the Boundary Creek Provincial Park to use the washroom,” Linteau said.
“The woman told police she observed the man keep on driving westbound on Highway 3. However, as she was exiting the washroom, the woman was allegedly confronted by this man who physically forced her back into the washroom where she was sexually assaulted. “
“The woman reported being able to physically fight off the suspect and escape in her vehicle. She immediately made her way to the Midway RCMP Detachment and reported the incident,” Linteau added.
Linteau said police investigators conducted extensive patrols of the area, including Highway 3 and 33, with assistance from members of the South Okanagan RCMP, Kelowna RCMP, and Grand Forks RCMP, as well as with assistance from an RCMP helicopter.
“The park was also initially closed given the ongoing police investigation and has since been reopened,” said Linteau.
RCMP said all investigative avenues have so far failed to identify the suspect allegedly responsible.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man in his forties, approximately 6 feet tall and of an average build. He is described as having short blond/brown hair and was sporting a greying mustache. He was last seen wearing a blue on blue plaid shirt with a western yoke and pearl snaps, pointed black cowboy boots with curled up toes, black jeans with a belt which may have had an eagle or a bird emblem. He may have had a chain attaching his wallet to his jeans.
Linteau said the 69-year-old victim sustained minor injuries as a result of this incident. RCMP Victim Services have been made available to her.
“Police are pursuing all avenues of investigation available to identify the man allegedly responsible for this random sexual assault” said Linteau.
“We urge anyone who may have any information as to the suspect’s identity to contact police immediately. We also are encouraging the public, especially those travelling alone, to remain vigilant and take every precaution to enhance their own personal safety”.
Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to contact Midway RCMP at 250-449-2244.
