Victoria police probe attempted kidnapping, robbery, in separate assaults

VICTORIA – A search is underway in Victoria for a man believed to be linked to two separate assaults on women, including one incident described by investigators as an attempted kidnapping.

A statement from police says both assaults occurred early Sunday in the city’s downtown core.

The alleged attempted kidnapping happened just after 11 a.m. as a woman returned to her vehicle and reported she was grabbed from behind by a man who brandished a knife and told her to go with him.

The victim was able to break free and was not physically injured.

Police say the incident is similar to one in the same general area several hours earlier, although the woman who escaped unharmed in that case reported it as an attempted robbery.

Police are warning the public and say they are searching for a roughly 45-year-old man who has a long ponytail, walks with a slight limp, speaks with a French-Canadian accent and was wearing a long black trench coat, black toque and dark sunglasses.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2019