Police say a woman was groped and left in shock at the Woodgrove Shopping Centre parking lot. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

sexual assault

Nanaimo RCMP on the hunt for man who groped, traumatized woman in Woodgrove Centre parking lot

Feb 24, 2021 | 10:00 AM

NANAIMO — A woman was left in a state of “disbelief and shock” after being sexually assaulted in a mall parking lot.

Nanaimo RCMP said the woman was groped by a stranger in the parking lot of Woodgrove Centre near the bus loops around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.

She was walking to her car only 10 parking spots from the mall exit.

The man came up behind her and groped her, Cst. Gary O’Brien said.

“It’s quite brazen, it was broad daylight (and) the chances of being caught while doing this were very high. It’s very disconcerting for us.”

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O’Brien said the victim was left in a “state of disbelief and shock” while yelling obscenities at the perpetrator who was walking off in the direction of the bus loops.

The man had dark skin and police said he was possibly Indigenous or Hispanic. He was roughly 25 years old, standing about 5’7″ with dark, spikey gelled hair. Details of the perpetrator were obscured by a black COVID-19 mask.

O’Brien said officers are in the process of viewing and requesting surveillance footage from the mall and RDN transit.

Police said they are considering a composite sketch, which will be released to the public if completed.

Anyone with information is urged to call Nanaimo RCMP.

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