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After nearly two years, police have arrested a suspect in connection to a disturbing sexual assault on Vancouver Island.
The incident happened in the community of Cobble Hill on July 23, 2024, but Mounties were unable to locate a suspect at the time.
Around 9 pm that evening, an elderly woman called 911 to report that she had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man who had broken into her home.
At the time, the RCMP appealed to the public for information and said that exhibits were seized from the home that would be subject to forensic analysis.
“The investigation reached a culmination point as a suspect was eventually identified through forensic evidence analysis,” Cpl. Alex Bérubé said in an update provided by police today.
On Monday, June 1, 2026, the BC Prosecution Service approved the following charges against a 17-year-old suspect:
The suspect’s whereabouts were unknown and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police were able to track him down and bring him into custody on Wednesday, June 3.
“The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits us from naming the suspect,” noted Bérubé. “Given the matter is now before the court, we will not be providing further details about this investigation.”