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Ottawa police are searching for a man who walked into a Barrhaven home and sexually assaulted a woman Tuesday night.

Police say that about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a woman in her 20s was in her home near Cedarview Drive and Maravista Drive when a man carrying a knife walked through the unlocked front door.

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The woman was sexually assaulted and her attacker then left. She didn’t see which way he went, police said.

The man wore a disguise over his face. He’s described as five-foot-eight and thin, and wore a grey hoodie, black athletic pants and running shoes. He may have tan-coloured skin, police said.

The attack by a stranger is unusual, police say, and not just for the normally quiet south-Ottawa suburb.

“Most of the sexual assaults that we investigate, the suspect is known to the victim,” said Const. Marc Soucy.

Yet while police have not heard of similar attacks, “just one is enough for concern,” Soucy said. “We’re concerned at the way it happened — this is a person who just walked into someone’s house and committed those crimes.”

Residents are urging their neighbours to be vigilant.

“I always lock my doors,” one woman posted on the Barrhaven Community Watch group on Facebook.

Soucy said it is important to know what is happening in your neighbourhood.

“If you see anything suspicious, whether it’s small or big, call us,” he added. “Let us investigate, let us figure out what’s going on.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa police sexual assault and child abuse section at 613-236-1222 ext. 5944, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 or 1-800-222-8477, or by downloading the Ottawa police iOS app.