File: 19-56157, 19-56129

Victoria, BC – Patrol officers are warning the public and looking for witnesses as they search for a suspect in two incidents which occurred today. One of the incidents is being investigated as an attempted kidnapping.

File: 19-56157

Just after 11 a.m. this morning, Patrol officers were called to Bastion Square for a report of an attempted kidnapping. The female victim reported that she returned to her vehicle in the area when a man unknown to her approach her from behind, grabbed her, brandished a knife, and told her she needed to go with him. The woman was able to break free of the man and fled. Officers responded to the area but did not locate the suspect. The woman was not physically injured.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, approximately 45 years-old, wearing a long black trench coat, dark sunglasses, and a black toque. He has long hair which was worn in a pony tail. The suspect walked with a slight limp and spoke with what was described as a “French Canadian” accent.

File: 19-56129

The suspect and circumstances resemble a similar, earlier incident that occurred at the intersection of Blanshard and Johnson streets just after 3 a.m. this morning. In that incident, which was reported as an attempted robbery, the suspect approached a woman from behind, grabbed her, and attempted to get her to go with him. The woman in this incident was also able to get away without physical injury. The suspect description in this incident bears resemblance to the suspect description in the Bastion Square incident.

If you recognize this suspect or have information about either of these incidents you are asked to our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously please call Greater Victoria Crime Spotters at 1-800-222-8477.

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