Langley sex assaults may be linked, police say

Police in Langley, B.C. believe a recent sexual assault may be related to another assault that happened in June.

In the most recentincident on Aug. 20, RCMPsaid a 19-year-old woman was walking near Douglas Park (in the 20600 block of 51B Avenue)when a man pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

During the attack, policesaid the suspect took outa knife and told her not to scream. He then took her purse and iPod before fleeing on a bicycle.

Police said the suspect was wearing what looked like swimming goggles.

Investigators believe this attack may be linked to a June 22 incidentwhena 16-year-old girl was threatened with a knife before she was sexually assaulted in Langley.

The girl was waiting for a busat 42nd Avenue and 204th Street, when a man drove up in what was described as a small, newer model, silver hatchback.

Police said he ordered the girl to get in his car and once she wasinside, he took out a large knife. He then drove to the parking lot of a church in the 21200 block of 56 Avenue, and sexually assaulted her.

Afterwards, he drove her to the Langley bus loop at Logan and Glover where he released her.

Policesaid both victims worked independently with a sketch artist and investigators now believethe two incidents are linked based on similarities in both appearance of the suspect and the circumstances of the attacks.

"The description and the most recent composite sketches that we've had prepared are strikingly similar both in the shape of his face, the facial hair...as well as the knife that was used in both incidents," said RCMP Cpl. Holly Marks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.