Public alert over sexual assaults on Hamilton trails

Hamilton police have issued a public safety alert after three sexual assaults and numerous indecent acts on west Hamilton trails in the past month.

In a release late Tuesday, police said they wanted to inform the public  about the incidents that had happened between May 22 and June 9. 

"In almost all of the above cases, the offences have occurred in relation to a trail system," said the release. 

 The trail systems involved include the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail, Chedoke  Rail Trail and Cootes Trail System. 

Police released a description of a suspect and said they believe there are likely witnesses who have seen the man on the trails.

He is  described as:  a white male, 5’8”-5,10, clean shaven, dark short brush cut hair, 170-

180lbs, 20-30’s. 

In the first incident, a woman was walking on the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail around 7:30 p.m. on May 22 when she heard a noise from behind her. She then saw a man standing in the bushes exposing himself before running away, according to police.

A similar incident happened around 12:34 p.m. on May 26 when a woman was walking up the Garth Street stairs near the entrance to the Chedoke Trail. She also heard a noise from behind her and saw a man hiding among some bushes, police say. The suspect ran away.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on the same day, a woman was approached from behind and sexually assaulted near the end of the Hamilton-Brandford Rail Trail close to 1579 Main St. W., according to police. The suspect ran away on Glenmount Avenue.

There were no details about any of the other incidents. Anyone who thinks they might be a witness should contact Detective Michelle Moore at (905) 540-5545 or 

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.