Nanaimo RCMP are investigating an alleged sexual assault on a Regional District of Nanaimo Transit bus.
According to a police press release, the incident happened July 11, between 5:10 and 5:30 p.m. on the 40 VIU Express bus.
The victim, described as a “young person,” reported they were seated in a window seat near the front of the crowded vehicle, when a male, unknown to the victim, sat down beside them, "rubbed against them with his arm and then slid his hand down their hip and leg."
The encounter ended when the victim picked up their bag from the floor to prepare to get off the bus downtown and the male rang the buzzer and left the bus at the Fifth Street and Shepherd Avenue bus stop.
The suspect, whose image was captured by the bus’s security camera, is described as a Caucasian in his 20s to mid 30s, with brown hair, brown beard, black glasses, bright blue eyes, who was wearing black shorts, black flip flops and a button-up white and orange patterned shirt.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or has information about the suspect in the photo contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2024-22148.
