A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the nighttime sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl in Surrey last week.
Police arrested Donovan Christopher Adams Thursday evening (Aug. 28) and on Tuesday (Sept. 2) charged him with break and enter, kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual interference and committing an indecent act.
Investigators say the suspect in the Aug. 27 incident is of no fixed address and that the victim did not know her alleged attacker.
Adams was due to appear in Surrey Provincial Court Tuesday afternoon.
Police say the girl was sleeping in her bedroom of her home near 99 Avenue and 128 Street when she was awoken and lured out an open window by a stranger.
The attacker took the child to a nearby park where he sexually assaulted her. He then took her to a yard close by and demanded she stay there until he left. She complied, but eventually ran home and her mom called police.
"Last Wednesday, we experienced an event that nobody ever wants to occur, the kidnapping and assault of a nine-year-old girl," Surrey RCMP Supt. Trent Rolfe said. He said the young girl is very brave "and helped us catch this man."
He said that given the circumstances, Rolfe said, the girl is doing "remarkably well."
Police say home security videos from neighbours helped lead investigators to a suspect, as did witness accounts which helped verify some time lines.
Apart from the help from the victim, Rolfe also credited work by the Special Victims Unit, Major Crimes and forensic teams for the speedy investigation and arrest.
He was arrested by Robson Park, near where the attack occurred.
"I guess the belief that he won't return to the scene of the crime is incorrect," Rolfe said.
"The Surrey RCMP would like to thank the community for their continued support and cooperation in this investigation," Rolfe said. "This file remained a top priority for our detachment as we understood the concern the community had regarding public safety since this incident."
Anyone with further information can call 604-599-0502, quoting file 2014-123662. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca