6 rapes on Canadian college campus connected

Six rapes or attempted rapes on the University of British Columbia campus this year may have been committed by the same suspect, police say. Sgt. Peter Thiessen, a spokesman for the Lower Mainland District of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the incidents "appear to be related," the Canadian Broadcasting Co. reported Tuesday. The six assaults he mentioned at a press conference were twice the number reported in recent weeks. Thiessen said the most recent assault occurred early Sunday when a woman walking home from a campus dormitory was attacked from behind. The assailant fled when she flailed her arms. The series of attacks began in April. Thiessen said campus patrols had been increased, and police dogs, profilers and psychologists had been utilized to find the suspect. Louise Cowin, the university's vice president of students, saying it was "critical to act and act decisively," said she was working with campus staff, students and faculty to ramp up campus security and encourage people to look out for each other.