Police issue public warning after violent home invasions in Ladysmith

LADYSMITH, B.C. – A woman in her 50s was physically and sexually assaulted by an intruder and police are warning residents to do all they can to secure themselves.

The same man earlier broke into another home belonging to a woman in her 50s but then ran away. Ladysmith is located south of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island

Police said the second home invasion was violent and occurred while the woman’s teenaged child was in sleeping in another room but did not awaken during the struggle.

“It is our assessment that the public need to be armed with the knowledge of these events, so they can take the necessary steps to secure their homes, and secure the homes of people they care for”, states Cpl. Darren Lagan of the Vancouver Island RCMP. “We are doing everything possible to identify and apprehend this individual.

“Ladysmith RCMP are focusing all available resources into the investigation of two overnight home invasions.

The first incident occurred in the 100-block of Buller Street in Ladysmith, at around 2:00 a.m.Saturday morning.  In this instance, the female resident awoke to find the suspect in her bedroom, Lagan said.

“After a brief interaction, the male fled the home.  No injuries were sustained to the woman, who was the sole occupant of the residence at the time.  Police were notified immediately, and an intense search of the area surrounding the home was completed by the Police Dog Service, and patrol units,” he said.

The second incident occurred in the 200 block of Malone Road in Ladysmith, at around 3:30 a.m.

“In this instance, the female resident awoke to find the male in her bedroom.  She was physically, and sexually assaulted.  She received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries,” said Lagan.

“Her teenage child was home at the time, but did not awaken during the incident,” he said.

Police believe that the same individual is responsible for both instances.  He is described as:

• Caucasian male with a darker complexion
• Approximately 6 feet tall
• Short, dark hair
• In his early 20’s
• Fit, slim build
• Clothing: dark colored t-shirt (with printed pattern on the chest), blue jeans, sneakers, green colored hoodie sweatshirt

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