Third groping reported on UBC campus

There has been another groping incident on the main campus of the University of British Columbia, the third such report since September, police say.

A woman in the lobby of a student residence on the UBC campus was about to get onto an elevator at about 3 a.m. PT Thursday when an unknown male grabbed her, RCMP Sgt. Rob Vermeulen said Friday.

The man is described as Indo-Canadian, approximately 5 feet 7 seven inches tall, 25 to 30 years old and with a heavy or stocky build. He had shoulder-length dark hair parted in the middle and no noticeable facial hair, Vermeulen said.

At the time of the assault, the man was wearing a light hooded sweater and blue jeans with dark skater shoes.

University RCMP detachment and UBC security searched for the man after the assault was reported, but did not find him, said Vermeulen.

The woman was not physically harmed.

Single investigation

In an incident on Oct. 7, a woman reported being grabbed by a man who then fled.

The woman was not physically harmed, and did not know her assailant. In that instance, the suspect was described as Caucasian, 30 to 35 years old, approximately 5 foot 11 inches tall with dark hair and eyes.

The first groping occurred in September when a female student was grabbed while walking after midnight on University Boulevard.

In that case, the assailant also was described as Indo-Canadian, but the woman could provide no more detailed description.

"The University detachment is coordinating the work on the three cases by putting them under a single investigative team," said Vermeulen. "They are also working with the RCMP Behavioral Sciences group and a crime analyst to provide insights and follow up any investigative leads."

"We continue to urge those who are on the campus late at night to carry cell phones, walk with a friend, or use the Safewalk Program on UBC campus," Vermeulen said.