There could be a sexual predator on the loose on Vancouver's East Side.

Police have issued a public warning after two women were "approached by a suspicious man" early this morning and a third was sexually assaulted.

The sexual assault occurred around 2 a.m. A 21-year-old woman was going into an apartment building on East 46th Avenue near Doman Street when she was pulled into the bushes.

It came an hour after a 34-year-old woman was grabbed from behind by a stranger as she was going into a building near the corner of Joyce Street and Vaness Avenue. After she screamed, the man fled.

And shortly before 12:30 a.m., a stranger ordered a 22-year-old woman not to move as she was walking near Joyce Street and Monmouth Avenue. She ran away and contacted police.

“We are encouraging anyone with information about these attacks, or who witnessed suspicious activity in the area, to contact police,” VPD spokesperson Staff Sgt. Randy Fincham said. “We are advising the public to look out for one another, while officers work diligently to identify and locate the attacker.”