Police investigate attacks along Burnt Bridge Creek Trail

Police are investigating two reports of a man on a skateboard groping women on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail in Vancouver.

The first incident happened around 8 a.m. Monday. A 26-year-old woman was walking on the trail near state Highway 500 when a man riding a skateboard groped her, exposed himself and made a sexual request, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said. The woman yelled at the man to leave her alone, and he left the area.

The victim didn’t report the incident until Monday evening, so police weren’t able to track down the suspect, who was described as a “dirty” man in his 20s with shaggy hair, wearing a white t-shirt and cargo shorts.

Today, a woman said she was groped by a man on the trail near Falk Road. He was described as a man in his 20s wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark sunglasses and a backpack with a skateboard strapped to it. He also carried another skateboard.

After she passed him on the trail, he got on his skateboard and rode past her, groping her when he did, Kapp said. The victim ran away to a safer location and called 911, which was the right thing to do, Kapp said.

Anybody who sees a suspicious person or suspicious activity on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail should report it to police. The same man may be responsible for both attacks on the trail, Kapp said.

“People should be cautious in that area,” she said.