West Shore RCMP are looking for the man who beat and sexually assaulted a woman while she was out for a jog in Colwood on Sunday night.
The 32-year-old woman was on the Galloping Goose trail near Pickford Road when she was attacked and sexually assaulted by a stranger. The woman called a family member, who then called West Shore RCMP to report the assault at 10:40 p.m.
Officers flooded the area, along with a police dog. However, the attacker was not found.
The woman was treated at the scene by B.C. Ambulance paramedics and was transported to hospital to be treated for her injuries, said West Shore RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Bérubé.
“Although police recognize these situations to be very traumatizing, her injuries are deemed to be non-life threatening,” he said.
Police have no indication a weapon was used. “However the sexual assault itself was deemed very serious,” Bérubé said.
The victim and her family have since been provided additional support from Greater Victoria Victim Services.
On Monday morning, two investigators gathered evidence along the gravel trail, which is flanked by Garry oak trees and dense brush. Investigators focused on the area between Hatley Memorial Gardens and Pickford Road. At one point, they picked up a plastic Big Gulp cup and placed it in an evidence bag.
Bérubé said the investigation is in its early stages and police are still working on gathering evidence.
Investigators do not yet have a description of the attacker, but are canvassing the area for anyone who might have seen someone on the trail before or after the attack.
Police are cautioning people to be aware of their surroundings if using trails, especially if out of public view, and to report any incidents right away.
Bérubé stressed he’s not telling people to avoid the trails. “These trails are not dangerous,” he said.
Colwood resident Dave Johnson, who was walking his dog on Monday, said he was shocked to hear about the violent attack. He said he wouldn’t walk the trail at night because it’s very dark.
“I just wouldn’t advise anyone to walk at night here,” Johnson said. “And I think we live in a very safe area, but there are issues.”
On March 3, 2015, a 23-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a stranger while jogging around Glen Lake Park near Shoreview Drive. She was knocked unconscious and robbed of her cellphone and money. Police released a description of the man and received several tips, but no arrest was made.
On March 12, 2015, a woman was punched in the face and robbed on the Galloping Goose trail between Hagel Road and Hatley Memorial Gardens.
In June 2014, a woman in her early 20s was sexually assaulted close to the Galloping Goose near Jacklin Road. A man was arrested in October for that assault.
Bérubé said there’s no evidence to suggest Sunday’s attack is linked to previous incidents.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
kderosa@timescolonist.com
