Police search for suspect in downtown assault

Winnipeg police are searching for a suspect after a woman was randomly assaulted downtown Friday morning.

Around 5:45 a.m., a 20-year-old woman was walking near the provincial law courts at 408 York Avenue, when an unknown man began following her. As she approached the building’s entrance on Kennedy Street, the suspect grabbed her and the pair began to struggle, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.

The woman fell to the sidewalk and the suspect touched her on the lower body, police said.

Officers responded to reports of the assault around 7 a.m. and found the victim suffering from an upper-body injury. She was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The suspect is described as a man between 20 and 30 years old with a larger build, long dark hair and a blue jacket. He is believed to stand around 5’9″ tall.

The sex crimes unit is leading the investigation. Anybody with information or access to surveillance footage in the area between St. Mary Avenue and Kennedy Street is asked to call investigators at 204-986-6245 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).