String of downtown Brandon sexual assaults connected, police believe

Police in Brandon believe a string of sexual assaults in the city's downtown over spring and summer are connected.

The first incident occurred on April 9 in the evening, when a 27-year-old woman was sexually assaulted after beingapproached by two men in an alley near 11th Street and Rosser Avenue,police said.

Another woman was sexually assaulted in the same area on July 3 at about 8:30 a.m. Police said the 45-year-old was approached by a lone man in that incident.

A 30-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man early in the morning on Aug. 18 in an alley near 6th Street and Princess Avenue, police said.

And this past Monday, a 34-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by two men under the First Street Bridge at 7:30 a.m., according to police.

Police said the victims in each case had previously been socializing at bars or residences in the downtown area and were walking alone in remote or dimly lit areas. In each case, the women were asked for a cigarette before being assaulted.

All four victims were treated forinjuries in hospital.

The suspects in the string of incidents are believed to be between 25 and 35 years old.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents are asked to call Brandon police at 204-729-2345 or Crime Stoppers.