A Vancouver police investigation has led to a man being charged after a woman was detained and sexually assaulted in her home, police said.
The incident happened in the East Vancouver neighborhood near Broadway Street and Carolina Street on July 9.
“We got an abandoned 911 call, someone called for help, then the line went dead,” said Sgt. Steve Addison.
“By working with E-comm, we were able to trace the abandoned 911 call to the residence. When we arrived at the scene, our officers found that a crime was in progress.
Addison continued, “We believed there was a woman who had been forcibly confined in her own home. We were able to get in to help the woman and arrest the person we believe is responsible for this crime.
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A couple who witnessed part of the incident spoke to Global News but did not identify themselves for security reasons.
“We heard someone trying to break down a door,” said one witness.
“We heard a policeman at the door with his gun drawn saying, ‘What’s going on here?’ You have to stop what you’re doing.’
The couple told Global News they heard the woman say, “I can’t open the door, he won’t let me.”
“Then came the battering ram.”
Neighbors said the suspect tried to escape police by jumping from a third-floor balcony, but didn’t get very far.
He reportedly landed on a first-floor balcony, breaking his leg.
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The Vancouver Police Department said officers have investigated more than 40 different “stranger attacks” since last spring, comparing them to understand why such incidents occur.
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“What we’re seeing is that there are a significant number of cases where mental health is a factor,” Addison said.
“More than half of (the cases we studied) the suspects had previously been detained under the British Columbia Mental Health Act. Eight out of ten involve people who have previously been arrested for a felony, and six out of 10 involve people who have previously been arrested and charged with a violent crime.”
After analyzing the cases, Addison said the VPD is starting to see “some trends.”
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Howard Lethbridge, 32, is charged with sexual assault, unlawful imprisonment, trespassing and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Lethbridge is expected to appear in court on Thursday, July 14.
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