Police are investigating a string of incidents — ranging from assault to sexual assault — that were committed against women around Halifax yesterday.

Police say they received reports of seven incidents between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Cedar Street, 7:30 a.m.: Man grabbed 38-year-old woman by the shoulders, woman yelled and the man fled on foot. Suspect described as white, shirtless man.

Man grabbed 38-year-old woman by the shoulders, woman yelled and the man fled on foot. Suspect described as white, shirtless man. 6200 block of Coburg Road, 11:30 a.m.: Man grabbed 22-year-old woman from behind, knocking her to the ground. Suspect fled on foot. Suspect described as six-foot white man, mid-20s, with dirty blond hair and husky build. Man was wearing a brown jacket, blue jeans, brown socks, no shoes.

Man grabbed 22-year-old woman from behind, knocking her to the ground. Suspect fled on foot. Suspect described as six-foot white man, mid-20s, with dirty blond hair and husky build. Man was wearing a brown jacket, blue jeans, brown socks, no shoes. Chebucto Road/St. Matthias Street, 3:10 p.m.: Man grabbed 27-year-old woman from behind and touched her in a sexual manner over her clothing. Suspected attempted to force the woman into an alley, but she fought him off. Suspect described as a white man, five foot eight inches tall, wearing blue jeans and no shirt.

Man grabbed 27-year-old woman from behind and touched her in a sexual manner over her clothing. Suspected attempted to force the woman into an alley, but she fought him off. Suspect described as a white man, five foot eight inches tall, wearing blue jeans and no shirt. Windsor Street/Lawrence Street, 7:45 p.m.: Man grabbed 39-year-old woman from behind and attempted to pull her close to him. She screamed, man fled on foot.

Man grabbed 39-year-old woman from behind and attempted to pull her close to him. She screamed, man fled on foot. 6300 block of South Street, 8 p.m.: Man approached 18-year-old woman, made obscene comments and woman fled. Suspect described as a white man in his 30s with brown hair, wearing blue t-shirt and beige pants.

Man approached 18-year-old woman, made obscene comments and woman fled. Suspect described as a white man in his 30s with brown hair, wearing blue t-shirt and beige pants. Oxford Street/Berlin Street, 8:15 p.m.: Man grabbed 14-year-old girl then walked away. Suspect described as a white male with dark complexion, wearing jeans, brown jacket and no shirt.

Man grabbed 14-year-old girl then walked away. Suspect described as a white male with dark complexion, wearing jeans, brown jacket and no shirt. Oxford Street, 8:25 p.m.: Man approached 22-year-old woman jogging towards North Street and ran his hand down her hair, across her shoulder. Woman screamed, causing him to walk away towards Bayers Road. Suspect described as a white man in his late 40s to early 50s, five feet eight inchdes to six feet tall, wearing a greyish coat.

Const. Stacey Opalka said there's no common connection between the women, other than they were alone.

"It is alarming for women, the female victims did nothing wrong, they were just walking when the man approached," she said.

Police say around 8:25 p.m., officers were responding to the later incidents when they received calls about a white man running shirtless through backyards on Almon Street.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man of no fixed address, who remains in police custody.

Investigators are currently exploring whether these incidents are connected and if the suspect in custody is responsible.

Anyone with further information about any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016 or Crime Stoppers.