Police are warning people to lock their doors after an elderly woman was assaulted in her Qualicum Beach home early Friday.

Police say the 78-year-old woman woke shortly before 1 a.m. to find a man in her Memorial Avenue bedroom. She was physically assaulted but not injured.

It is the third home invasion and assault on Vancouver Island since July.

Police have not confirmed a link between the Qualicum case, an assault in Duncan and two others in Ladysmith but investigators are looking at that possibility "with great intensity," said Vancouver Island RCMP spokesman Cpl. Darren Lagan on Friday.

In all four cases, women woke up in the early morning hours to find a man in their bedroom. In two cases, victims were sexually assaulted. In all but one of the cases, homes were unlocked.

Separate suspect sketches have been distributed in connection with the Duncan and Ladysmith cases.

In the latest incident, police said a man entered the home through an unlocked sliding patio door. The suspect ran away before officers arrived. An RCMP dog was brought to the scene but could not locate a track, suggesting the man may have used a car to escape. Investigators believe a car may also have been used in the Ladysmith incidents, which occurred within two hours of each other and are believed to be connected.

Bulletins have also been distributed to RCMP across the province and police are also looking at known sex offenders.

The Island District General Investigation Section is working with RCMP from all three areas to ensure any connections in the cases are identified.

"We couldn't ignore that possibility," said Lagan.

"It's certainly something we're looking at."

The victim in the latest case may also work with a sketch artist. Lagan said the woman, who lived alone, has family in the area and is being supported by RCMP victim services.

On Sept. 26 in Ladysmith, women in their 50s woke up to find a man in their bedroom in two separate home invasions. In one incident, the woman was sexually assaulted.

On July 4 in Duncan, a man, suspected of carrying a weapon, broke into a home and sexually assaulted the woman inside. He ran away when a child interrupted the assault.

The suspect in connection with the Qualicum incident is described as a white man, aged 18 to 28, about five foot eight and 170 pounds. He was wearing a dark jacket with a maroon-coloured tuque.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or their local RCMP detachment.

DBell@nanaimodailynews.com

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