Police are looking to identify the man pictured here, who they believe is responsible for touching a woman without consent last month in Nanaimo's downtown. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)

By Alex Rawnsley

assault

Nanaimo Mounties trying to identify man accused of unwanted touching

Oct 15, 2026 | 3:58 PM

NANAIMO — Local police are trying to identify a man who allegedly grabbed and inappropriately touched a girl prior to the suspect boarding a bus.

The incident unfolded on Sept. 17 at around 3:30 p.m. when the woman told police she was walking in Nanaimo’s downtown, near the Front St. bus exchange

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said things happened quite quickly.

“The woman reported she was walking southbound on Front St., crossing near Port Place [Shopping Centre], when an unknown man suddenly grabbed her and touched her inappropriately. This person was then seen entering bus 40, which takes passengers towards Vancouver Island University.”

Pictures obtained from security footage of the area show the face of the suspect, with police also hoping a blue and purple backpack will help their officers identify the individual.

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Nanaimo Mounties trying to identify man accused of unwanted touching

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The suspect is described as a Caucasian male in his late 20s, approximately 5’7″, medium build, with sandy/red hair, and wearing a black hoodie.

Anyone who recognizes the man shown in the photographs or has information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)

Police ask anyone who may know the person or have details about the incident in question to contact the detachment at 1-250-754-2345.

O’Brien said in the weeks following the reported assault, officers have made several attempts to identify the individual.

“The investigator would do all the work necessary on the ground, we’ll try and find witnesses and try and find CCTV footage to gather and update the file. We’ll send it internally to all our members to see if anybody can identify who these people are, and at this point we’re striking out.”

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by Alex Rawnsley

Nanaimo Mounties trying to identify man accused of unwanted touching

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