Niagara police seek man suspected of a sexual assault in Welland

Niagara police are looking for a man allegedly involved in a sexual assault in Welland that happened early Wednesday morning.

A woman told officers she was out for a walk after midnight, in the area of Woodlawn Road and Clare Avenue, when she had asked a man a question.

She said that this man was unknown to her.

The woman said the man then sexually assaulted her and tried to pull her into a wooded area.

She says when she was able to get to her phone, the man stopped assaulting her and left the area.

Officers say they are looking for a Middle Eastern man who they believe is around 21-years-old.

Investigators describe the man as having a heavy build, weighing around 200 lbs, and is five-foot-four to five-foot-five tall.

They say the man speaks with a “heavy Middle Eastern accent.”

Detectives say the man had dark brown hair, a full black beard and was wearing a grey zip-up sweater with writing on the back, and possibly black sweatpants.

The Niagara police Sexual Assault Unit have taken charge of the investigation, and are asking anyone with information on the the suspect, or video to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009311.

Tips can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Niagara online here, or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

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