A man has been arrested in connection with a kidnapping and sexual assault last month.
Sukhjinder Singh, 26, of Prince George, appeared in court on Wednesday, a bit more than a week after he was arrested in connection with an alleged incident during the early morning hours of Sept. 3.
At the time, RCMP said a woman was fixing a flat tire at a gas station near Fifth Avenue and Tabor Boulevard at about 2 a.m. when a man exited a parked vehicle nearby and offered to help. The two were unable to fix the tire so he offered to give her a ride.
But while driving her home, the man missed several turns and turned into a parking lot, believed to be on Foothills Boulevard, where he sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to fend off her attacker and fled on foot.
Prince George RCMP Inspector Shaun Wright credited the arrest to a combination of investigative techniques, supported by forensic evidence and tips from the public. He declined to elaborate further on what led police to arrest Singh.
Wright said Singh was not previously known to police but indicated he could also be responsible for a May 14 incident when a woman was attacked from behind while running along Foothills Boulevard.
"There are some similarities," Wright said. "There is insufficient evidence at this time to link the two to support charges but we're alive to that possibility and we're actively investigating that possibility."
Wright said such incidents are "relatively rare."
"But at the same time you have to take normal precautions, especially in the early-morning hours and unfortunately, if you're a female and you're alone," he said.
Kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
