Updated: July 14, 7:45 p.m.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division have arrested one adult man for two counts of sexual assault in relation to the two incidents involving an individual on a bicycle that occurred over last weekend in the Valley East area.
The man will appear in Sudbury Bail Court tomorrow morning to answer to the criminal charges.
Greater Sudbury Police wish to thank the public for their assistance in keeping our streets safe.
Updated: July 12 at 1 p.m.
Greater Sudbury Police have released a photo of the person they say was responsible for an assault in Valley East last Friday.
“Criminal Investigation Division detectives continue to actively investigate this matter and are requesting the public’s assistance with identifying the individual in the attached photograph,” a news release said Tuesday.
“Police have confirmed that the cyclist depicted in the photo was responsible for the assault last Friday the 8th of July 2016. No other additional reports have been received by police.”
Original story:
Greater Sudbury Police responded to a pair of separate assault reports over the weekend in the Valley East area, involving a man assaulting women as he drives by on a bike.
The first incident occurred Friday, July 8 at approximately 2 p.m. near Jeanne D’Arc Street in Val Therese.
The second incident occurred Sunday, July 10 July 2016 at around 2 p.m. in the area of Pharand Street in Hanmer.
"We got two reports of inappropriate touching by a young man in his late teens or early 20's," said Staff Sgt. John Valtonen.
"Because of the serial nature of this he (the suspect) is still a predator, but with sexual assault you don't want people to think that there's a guy out there dragging people off the street. What pushes this into the sexual assault realm is that it's two incidents that are similar in nature and we don't know if there's been others who just haven't reported it."
In both incidents the suspect is described as a young man of average height and build, riding a dark-coloured bicycle.
"The incidents both occurred on residential streets in two different towns," said Valtonen. "They're only about a 20 minute bike ride apart."
The culprit rode up behind the adult female pedestrians and assaulted them as he rode past.
The Criminal Investigations Division has commenced a sexual assault investigation and asks the public to remain vigilant in their travels and report any suspicious activity to police.
The following are some general safety tips from police on safeguarding your personal safety:
- Try not to walk alone but if you do, be alert and be aware of your surroundings - know who's around you and what's going on. Try to avoid being distracted by your cellphone.
- Walk with confidence and purpose. Be wary of isolated spots – lane ways and parking lots.
- Tell friends or family members where you're going, and then let them know when you reach your destination.
- Don't enter environments where you feel unsafe. Trust your instincts.
- Don't carry offensive weapons such as knives. They may be used against you.
If you feel you are being followed:
- Cross the street or walk on the side of the road.
- Go immediately to the nearest well-lit or populated area.
- If others are within hearing distance, turn to the person following you and say in a loud and assertive voice: "Stop following me!"
- Contact Police immediately--go to a house or a store and call the Police.
- Try to record as much detail as possible, clothing description, height, weight, hair colour. Record your observations as soon as possible after the incident.
Anyone who has information in relation to this incident are asked to contact the Greater Sudbury Police Service at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 222-TIPS, online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com or by texting TIPSUD and the information to CRIMES (274637).
