Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:40 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, with updated information from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Local authorities are asking for the public’s help in tracking the movements of a sexual assault and robbery suspect near a Bellingham park.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that the assault and robbery occurred on Wednesday morning between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the trail system at Little Squalicum Park.
They say that after an extensive search in the area involving local agencies and a K-9 unit, officials could not locate the suspect.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater told My Bellingham Now that they are asking nearby community members in the area to check their surveillance footage for the suspect. She added that they are looking for a larger, heavyset male in his 30s to 40s, measuring around 6′ tall with dark, curly, frizzy hair in a ponytail and a beard. He was seen wearing brown pants and a tan jacket at the time of the incident.
The investigation on Wednesday morning prompted Bellingham Technical College to issue a “hold” protocol. During that time, all doors on campus were locked until they got an all-clear around 11:30 a.m.
Officials also had asked the public to avoid the area of Squalicum Park while they conducted their search, but it is now open to the public.
Anyone with details relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling the WCSO tip line at 360-778-6663.
