Witnesses sought after woman assaulted while jogging in Nanaimo, RCMP say

The RCMP logo is seen in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Mounties are asking witnesses to come forward after a 21-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted while on a jog in Nanaimo last month.

Nanaimo RCMP said the incident unfolded just before 4:30 p.m. on June 9 in the area of Second Street and Pine Street.

The woman reportedly told authorities she was out for a run when an unknown man on a bicycle approached her from behind and allegedly grabbed her buttocks before fleeing the area.

Police describe the suspect as a white man, who they believe to be about 35 years old. He’s approximately 6′3″ tall with a slim build, short brown hair and a scruffy brown beard.

Mounties said he was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, tight black/grey pants and had a black oval shaped backpack on.

The suspect was seen riding a red, older model mountain bike.

“Investigators have completed extensive inquiries, including canvassing for CCTV and speaking to residents in the area. To date, they have been unable to identify the suspect,” RCMP said in a statement on Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.