A woman walking in a residential area of Burnaby on Sunday night sustained minor injuries after she physically struggled with an unidentified male assailant.

Burnaby RCMP stated today (January 21) that shortly after 11 p.m. on January 19, police received a report about an assault in the 7200 block of Gray Avenue in Burnaby.

A woman reported that as she was walking in the area, an unknown male approached her from behind. He allegedly covered her mouth and wrapped his other arm around her body.

When the female victim ducked to the ground and screamed, the man fled on foot. He was last seen heading west on Victory Street before he turned into an alleyway.

Although police immediately attended the area, they were unable to locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as a young white male with a slim build.

At the time, he was wearing a black hoodie and black gloves with white lettering on them.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time of this incident and may have seen anything suspicious is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 or, to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.