Even in broad daylight, there’s still danger on Nanaimo’s streets.
At 1:20pm on Monday, near 55 Victoria Road, a 27 year-old woman was returning to her workplace. She was approached from behind, grasped around the neck, and then groped in a sexual manner.
She broke free of the grasp and ran to her workplace, where one of her coworkers took a picture of the suspect before he ran off.
“The victim in this incident did everything correct. She fought back, she made noise, she told someone and reported the incident to the police. Then, by using her phone, a picture of the suspect was shared across social media, which ultimately led to his timely arrest,” said Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The victim called 911 and posted a picture of the man online. With the picture being posted online, tips as to the individual’s identity eventually lead to him being located and arrested at a nearby home.
35 year-old Brett Ranger of no fixed address was held in police custody and appeared in court on Tuesday. He was formally charged with sexual assault.
He has been remanded into custody until April 4th.
