A man has been arrested following assaults on three women this morning in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside area as police seek to learn the identity of one of the victims.

Police hope jewelry worn by the victim will help identify her. (Vancouver Police Dept.)

"An elderly woman believed to be in her 70s is in serious condition in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following an assault in the 200 block of Columbia at 9:30," said a statement issued by Vancouver police.

The unidentified woman is Asian, between 70 and 80 years old, with a slim build, salt-and-pepper hair, about five-feet tall and weighing 105 pounds.

Police have also released a photograph of some of the jewlery the woman wore in the hope of identifying her.

The release said a second woman was assaulted in the 700 block of Pacific about 9:50 and is in hospital, also in serious condition.

"The third woman was attacked across the street minutes later and is in hospital in grave condition," the release stated.

The VPD Major Crime Section is investigating. It’s early in the investigation but it appears the man, who was arrested wearing only underwear, was not known to the victims and police are still working to confirm his identity.