A suspect is on the loose after reportedly raping a young woman in a residential neighbourhood in Barrhaven.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday on Deerfox Dr. at Woodroffe Ave., north of Strandherd Dr.

“I didn’t hear a thing,” said resident Andy Malguzzi.

“I wish I did. I wish I could’ve done something about it.”

Malguzzi said he noticed police cars and officers with flashlights coming up his driveway at 10:30 p.m., asking if he had heard any screams an hour earlier.

The 18-year-old woman was apparently followed off the bus, dragged into the hedges on Deerfox, and sexually assaulted.

Saturday night, police confirmed they were investigating the sexual assault of an adult woman in the area. Police said a man approached the woman, engaged in conversation and sexually assaulted her a short time after that.

The suspect is described as white, in his 20s and with a slim build, between 5-foot-10 and 6-feet with dark hair with blond treaks. The man spoke English.

The attack left residents shaken.

“I’m shocked,” said Malguzzi.

“It hits closer to home when it’s literally in your own backyard...I never expected this in Barrhaven.”

Malguzzi has a daughter, 5, and said he wants neighbours to keep their eyes open.

“This needs to be made public. He needs to be caught,” he said.

Anyone with information on the assault should contact the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse section at 613-236-1222 ext. 5944.

kelly.roche@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @ottawasunkroche