13-year-old girl sexually assaulted while walking to school in Surrey

Surrey RCMP are warning the public and appealing for information, after an alleged sexual assault on a teen girl Wednesday morning.

According to police, the incident took place as the girl was on her way to school in the 18700 block of 59th Avenue.

Police were called to Sunrise Ridge Elementary at 8:15 am, after the girl, 13, reported being touched by a stranger.

She told officials that she was on her way to school, when a man approached her after getting out of an SUV. He then reportedly asked her how old she was then touched her buttocks.

“The girl yelled at the man, ran to the school, and told staff right away,” said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann in a release.

The suspect fled the area before the police arrived and hasn’t yet been found.

He is described as:

• Caucasian
• 25 to 40 years old,
• 6’0” tall, with a slim build
• Wearing a blue sweater or hoody, khaki cargo pants, round glasses, and a baseball cap.

The vehicle is described only as a blue or green Honda CRV.

“If you have seen this vehicle in the same area in the morning hours of school days, we want to hear from you right away,” said Schumann. “Any information you have may help police identify the suspect in this assault.”

Surrey RCMP also offered a number of tips students can use to increase their personal safety when walking to school:

• Don’t take short cuts.
• Use main routes and avoid lanes, forested or secluded areas
• Walk with friends
• Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back
• Phone home when leaving a friend’s house and say when you will be home
• Trust your instincts and your feelings
• Phone if you are going to be delayed, or if your plans change

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave a tip online online at solvecrime.ca.