Bellingham police asking for help finding 'person of interest' in string of sexually motivated assaults

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Bellingham police are asking for the public's help identifying a person of interest in a string of sexual assaults targeting women.

Police said "it has not been determined that this is the suspect," but that anybody who recognizes him should call detectives at 360-778-8664.

Two of the attacks happened early Wednesday morning. None of the women has been hurt during the incidents but police said a man held a woman at knife-point in the latest attack.

Investigators said all of the assaults were sexually motivated. The man either approaches his victims on a bicycle or he jumps out at them from the bushes.

Police said they're worried the man could escalate his assaults.

The first incident happened Friday at 3 a.m. at East Holly and North Garden Streets.

And then again twice early Wednesday morning; first along East Chestnut Street and then again on North Garden closer to the WWU campus.

In each instance, the women were able to fight off their attacker and run to safety.

Police describe the suspect as a white man between 20 to 30 years old, standing 6-foot tall. He's has a long, dark beard and curly, shaggy dark hair. He was last seen wearing a beanie, a brown button-up shirt, blue jeans and a small backpack.