North Okanagan woman allegedly sexually assaulted while walking home

VERNON – Police in the North Okanagan are asking the public's help in finding a sexual assault suspect.

Vernon RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett says in a news release an adult woman was walking home in the Okanagan Landing area on May 14 just before 4 p.m. when she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Brett says officers responded to the 2400 block of Fulton Road, but the suspect had fled and officers were unable to locate him.

The victim described the suspect as a Caucasian man, approximately 50 years old, wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts and a black hat. Brett says the victim was uninjured.

"The police are pursuing all avenues of the investigation to identify the suspect," Brett says in the release. "We are looking for any witnesses who may have been in the area or heard anything at the time of the assault to come forward and speak to police."

The investigation is still in the early stages, but Brett says police are advising residents to not take shortcuts, walk with friends, tell someone where you're going to be and when you will be back, and trust your instincts.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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