New Burnaby, B.C., task force to investigate five recent sexual assaults

BURNABY, B.C. – Police in Burnaby, B.C., have created a task force to investigate a rash of recent sexual assaults.

RCMP say there have been five assaults in Burnaby since Jan. 29, including an attack on a woman who was walking on a popular trail Sunday afternoon.

Police say that assault was stopped by a Good Samaritan who scared off the suspect, but left before speaking with officers.

RCMP say it’s too early to tell whether the assaults are linked, but say some have similar characteristics so all five will be investigated by the task force.

Investigators from the Burnaby’s serious crimes section will lead the new team, with help from crime analysts and the force’s behavioural sciences group.

Officers are sharing information about recent sexual assaults with the Vancouver Police Department.