New police warning about Rutland sex attacker
Lena Sin, The Province
Published: Saturday, September 22, 2007

Mounties in Kelowna are sending yet another warning for women to be extra vigilant after a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while walking home at night last Thursday.

The attack is the fifth one on a young woman in Rutland since July 26, raising fears that a Rutland sexual predator has struck again.

Police say all five attacks are believed related and they are investigating links to a sixth case that occurred in downtown Kelowna last month.

"Police would like to warn the public once again to avoid walking alone during the evening hours if at all possible," Const. Julie Rattee, Kelowna and Southeast District RCMP spokeswoman, said in a release Friday.

The latest attack occurred at 9:15 p.m. Thursday when a girl was walking home from a bus stop at Highway 33 and Gerstmar Road.

While walking along Gerstmar Road, the 15-year-old was accosted from behind and pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted.

The girl yelled for help and fought against her attacker, causing him to flee the area.

The suspect description is nearly identical to those given in the previous four Rutland attack: A white male, approximately six feet tall, with light coloured shaved hair and clean shaven.

In the previous four attempts at sexual assault, all of the women were able to fight off the attack or get help from area residents.

However, on Aug. 18, an 18-year-old woman in the Kelowna downtown core was not so lucky.

As she was walking home on Bernard Avenue just after midnight, an assailant walking towards her attacked her and then sexually assaulted her before fleeing.

Dave Thomas, with the Kelowna South Central Association of Neighbourhoods, says the bedroom community of Rutland may have been targeted because it is heavily residential and tends to be quiet at night.

"He's found a good hunting ground," said Thomas. "He seems to be getting bolder and it is frightening but generally the public doesn't panic. I just think they need to be more aware."

Thomas is encouraging neighbours to be the "eyes and ears" of the community and respond to any unusual sounds or activities.

Coun. Brian Given said Rutland and the Kelowna area is still safe but is cautioning women to use common sense when going out.

"Don't put yourself in a situation where you could be a victim," he said.

A staff member at the Kelowna Women's Shelter said the residents at the shelter are trying not to go out alone and to carry whistles on them at all times.

Kelowna RCMP is asking anyone who may have taken the No. 10 City Bus from Orchard Park mall at 9 p.m. on Sept. 20 and exited the bus on Highway 33 at Gerstmar Road (near the Shell gas

station) to contact police at 250-762-3300.

lsin@png.canwest.com