A man suspected of being involved in a series of stalkings and assaults since 2007 has been arrested, police said yesterday.
“In 2007, we had heard of young women being stalked from Vancouver SkyTrain stations,” Insp. Les Yeo said. “In March, we had another incident that was similar to the 2007 cases.”
Rodger Francisco Grinolds, 36, was arrested in Coquitlam on Wednesday after a woman reported on March 26 that she had been followed from the Nanaimo SkyTrain station.
Insp. Ed Eviston said the woman provided police with an excellent physical description of the harasser and his vehicle.
VPD and Transit Police launched an investigation and monitored SkyTrain stops, often undercover.
Insp. Ken Schinkel from Transit Police said the arrest was a result of an “intelligence-led investigation.”
“We are working to ensure transit security, as it crosses 21 police jurisdictions,” he said.
Yeo said it was a “significant arrest” and urged young women to call police if they are followed or initiated into conversations with strangers using public transit.
Grinolds faces charges of robbery, aggravated assault and harassment.
