Nanaimo mom groped while pushing baby in a stroller

The RCMP say two cases of unwanted sexualtouching in Nanaimo earlier this week are likely linked.

A21-year-old woman walking on her own and a 32-year-old womanpushing her baby in a stroller both reported having their buttocks grabbed asthey walked along Bowen Road on Monday at around 11:30 a.m. PT.

The two incidents took place within a 10-minute span. In both cases the man approached on foot,grabbed the women, and then ran away.

"The descriptions are similar enough to lead investigators to believe both incidents were carried out by the same individual, said Const.Gary O'Brien.

In the first incident, the male was described as possibly Indigenous or of Spanish descent, approximately fivefeet sixinches tall, with aslim build, short hair and brown eyes. He was wearingbrown pants anda light-coloured shirt, and wascarrying a black backpack with a diamond on it.

In the second incident, the man was described aseither Indigenous orSpanish, with short, black hair, wearing a white T-shirt andtan-khaki pants, and carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345, or Crime Stoppers at nanaimocrimestoppers.com or 1-800-222-8477.