North Vancouver RCMP are looking for a suspect after an 89-year-old woman was assaulted in her Lynn Valley apartment Thursday.
Investigators say the woman was home alone in an apartment in her retirement complex when a strange man knocked on her door and asked if he could use her washroom. He was dressed as a construction worker, wearing white disposable overalls with a hood.
After being invited inside, the man exposed his genitals before he assaulted the victim, according to police. After a short altercation the man fled from the residence, according to Const. Brett Cunningham, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
Police aren’t releasing the exact time or location of the assault but say it happened in the late afternoon in the area of Lynn Valley Road and Fromme Road.
The victim is doing well under the circumstances, Cunningham said, and she was not seriously injured. Following the assault, the victim called for help and was taken to the hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
“She’s in good spirits,” Cunningham said. “The investigators who interviewed commented on her bright and light hearted attitude, even joking with them at times. That being said, obviously we want to catch this individual and we want to help her as much as we can.”
Police describe the suspect as 20 to 30 years old with a slim build, standing between 5-10 and six feet tall. He had black hair, dark eyes and olive skin. Under the white overalls, he wore navy pants and a navy sweater.
Police released a composite sketch of the suspect on Friday afternoon.
“Our investigators are working diligently on this file but need help from the public, said. If you recognize the person depicted in the composite drawing, investigators want to hear from you,” Cunningham said.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-985-1311, referencing file # 2018- 2583.
