Vancouver: Officers have been investigating a sexual assault that occurred on a busy beach in the city’s West End on Sunday, said Vancouver Police. 

The police said a woman in her 40s was sunbathing at the beach around 7:30 pm on Sunday when she was approached by a man who claimed to be a massage therapist. 

The man began touching the woman, then reportedly sexually assaulted her before walking away, the Vancouver Police Department said.

“The victim called 911 and provided a description of the suspect after he walked north, toward Stanley Park. Police officers began searching the area and located a suspect,” Vancouver Police said in a statement. 

The suspect was arrested, but charges have not yet been approved by Crown counsel.  

 “Investigators from the Vancouver Police Department believe the same man may have approached a number of other people on the beach during the busy weekend, and would like to speak to anyone who interacted with him or saw him massaging other beachgoers,” the police added.

The suspect is said to be a South Asian man in his 30s, with a medium-heavy build and short, dark hair. 

The police said at the time of the offence, the suspect was wearing a black hat, black sunglasses, a white and blue striped shirt, and beige cargo shorts. 

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