Abbotsford Police are hoping that a tip received during their investigation into the violent sexual assault of a young woman on Feb. 2 will help solve the case.
Const. Ian MacDonald said investigators have received "dozens and dozens" of useful tips, including that a South Asian man wearing a military-style dog tag had been seen frequenting the area of the assault.
MacDonald said people have reported seeing the man on the day of the incident and on other occasions in the area of Homeview and Pauline streets. He wouldn't say whether the tips had come from business people in the area or local residents.
Police believe the man is connected to the assault or has knowledge of it, MacDonald said.
He said it is often small bits of information that help solve serious crimes.
"When we look at investigations from the past, it often comes down to elements like this."
A 19-year-old woman was walking along the sidewalk in the area of Pauline and Homeview streets at about 7 p.m. on Feb. 2, when she saw a newer-model white pickup truck pass her twice as she headed east toward a bus stop.
As the woman approached the intersection of Pauline and Laurel streets, the passenger exited the truck, grabbed the woman and pushed her into the rear seat.
The driver parked the vehicle a short distance away and both men sexually assaulted her. She was then pushed out of the truck and onto the ground in a parking lot in the area of the 34000 block of Gladys Avenue.
Both men are South Asian and were heard communicating to each other in Punjabi. The driver is described as in his late 20s, about 5’10”, clean-shaven, with a thin build and short black hair. He was wearing a dark jacket and blue T-shirt.
The passenger is described as heavy-built, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5’ 11” to six feet, with short dark hair and a full beard. At the time of the attack, he was wearing a yellow shirt, grey hoodie and tear-away track pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.