Police in Nanaimo are investigating a concerning incident that took place on a transit bus last month.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, a “young person” reported that they were sexually assaulted by a stranger while riding the #40 bus, the VIU Express, on the evening of July 11.
The victim said they were in a window seat near the front of a “very crowded bus” when the unknown man sat beside them.
He allegedly proceeded to rub against the youth with his arm, then slid his hand down their hip and leg.
“The encounter ended when the young person picked up their bag from the floor in preparation for exiting the bus downtown,” explained a Nanaimo RCMP release.
“The unknown male rang the buzzer, alerting the driver to stop, and left the bus at the 5th Street and Shepherd bus stop.”
Police did not say whether there was any further interaction between the youth and suspect outside the bus.
The suspect is said to be a Caucasian man in his late 20s to mid 30s with brown hair, a brown beard and bright blue eyes.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing black glasses, a button-up white and orange patterned shirt, black shorts and black flip flops.
The RCMP is urging anyone who may have witnessed the assault on the bus, or has information on the unidentified suspect, to contact the Nanaimo detachment at 250-754-2345.
