Bellingham Police: Serial groper targeting women near popular park

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Police believe a serial groper is targeting women along a popular walking trail in a North Bellingham neighborhood.

In the past several weeks, three women claim a young man groped them on the Cordata Park walking trail near Cordata Parkway and Meadowbrook, according to police. The most recent incident was last weekend.

“There’s plenty of places for someone to sit back and watch the trails,” said Lt. Bob Vander Yacht.



The women told police the young man approached from behind, inappropriately touched them, and then ran off.

Yacht said the incidents are very similar to two other groping cases in that same neighborhood last year. Investigators believe they are all connected.

“Our concern would be that anytime that we see an elevation of activity like this is that the person is needing more excitement so that concerns us,” said Yacht.

Each victim provided police with a similar description of the suspect. Investigators say he is a 5’2-5’6 young man with a tan complexion and between the ages of 14 and 20. It is possible that he lives in the neighborhood. He also runs awkwardly.

Police are warning women to be careful when walking alone in the neighborhood.