Update (February 18):

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced today (February 18) that, with the help of information from the public, investigators identified the male suspect connected to the attack on a 24-year-old woman in the West End on February 13.

Officers arrested the 57-year-old suspect early this morning. He was released on conditions until his court appearance. Police will be recommending charges to Crown counsel.

The VPD is not providing any further details at this time.

Original article (February 16):

As an investigation continues on into an unprovoked attack on a woman in the West End, investigators have released video footage of the suspect they are seeking to identify.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) had previously announced on February 15 that around 9:40 p.m. on February 13, a 24-year-old woman was walking through Maxine Lane (the south lane of Burnaby Street) between Bute and Thurlow streets when an unknown man grabbed her from behind.

Both fell to the ground, but when the woman began screaming, the suspect ran away toward Bute Street.

Today (February 16), the VPD released security video footage of the suspect as he was walking through an alleyway.

The suspect is described as a white male who is about 180 centimetres (five feet, eleven inches) tall, and appears to be in his mid 40s. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a waist-length black leather jacket, dark pants, and a dark COVID mask.

Anyone who can identify the individual in the videos below, or who has information about this incident, is asked to call the VPD Special Investigations Section at 604-717-0602, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8466.