Police investigating 2 sexually-motivated assaults overnight in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Police in Bellingham are investigating two sexually-motivated assaults within half an hour of each other early Wednesday in Bellingham.

Police said they received the first call at 1:22 a.m. from the 800 block of E. Chestnut Street. Two women, ages 21 and 22, said they were walking together when a man on a bicycle rode up behind them and grabbed one woman's behind. The man said he wanted oral sex and told them he had a knife in his pocket. The man rode away after the victim said she was calling police.

About half an hour later, police were called to the 300 block of N. Garden Street. Officers said a 29-year-old woman was walking southbound when she saw a man lurking in the shadows.

"She confronted the man stating "hey man you scared me," said Lt. Bob Vander Yacht. "The man responded by running at the woman and grabbing her around the neck with one arm. With his free hand he held the point of a pocket knife to her throat. He demanded oral sex while stating that he had a knife. The woman screamed as loud as she could. The man immediately fled on foot."

Investigators say the description of the suspect is nearly identical in both cases: a white male in his mid to late 20s, about 6' tall, with a long dark beard, curly shaggy dark hair, wearing a beanie, brown button-up shirt and blue jeans. He had a smaller backpack and the knife was described as a multi-tool.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bellingham police. You can call the anonymous tip line at 360-778-8611 or online at cob.org/tips.