Woman assaulted near SFU

Photo: CTV/Chopper 9

RCMP are looking for a man who allegedly tried to grab a 19-year-old woman walking on a Burnaby Mountain trail near Simon Fraser University Sunday night.

The woman had gone for a walk on a trail just north of University Drive and West Campus Road towards Burnaby Mountain Park shortly before 9 p.m., according to a police press release.

As she was walking, she noticed a man following her who tried to engage her in conversation, she told police. The man then allegedly grabbed her by the hand.

“The victim was able to pull away from the suspect and run to a nearby parking lot where she sought assistance from other people,” stated the press release.

But police say the man kept trying to engage the woman in the parking lot before driving off in a car, a grey or black four-door Acura.

“This was a frightening situation for this victim, who thankfully was able to get to safety,” Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in the release. “We are asking that people remain vigilant on the trails, following our advice, and, if you know who this suspect is, then please contact police immediately.”

The suspect in this incident is described as a five-foot-nine South Asian male between the ages of 19 and 23.

He has brown eyes and is clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a black turban, blue long-sleeve shirt, grey sweat pants and black sandals.