Police say two sexual assaults on sex trade workers, one near Donald Street and Simpson Street Oct. 12 and another near the Wilson Street Park Nov. 5 were similar.
"We are investigating the possibility that these two instances are linked based upon the description of the accused, the description of the vehicle and the nature of the assault," deputy chief Andy Hay said.
Both reports describe a Caucasian man in his early 30s driving a light coloured SUV. Hay is asking anyone with any information to come forward. Sex trade workers are often reluctant to report assaults to police Hay said.
"It's difficult to say how often it happens," he said. "We belive that there are a few other instances that have happened over the past year."
If a person doesn't feel comfortable giving information to police, they can contact crime stoppers or the sexual assault reporting centre anonymously. Any information could help police in their investigation.
Police say bad dates are when a sex trade worker and client agree to exchange certain services for money but the john forces other sexual acts not consented to by the victim.
Anyone or any community stake holders with any type of information that could be related are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigation Branch of the Thunder Bay Police at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or www.tipsubmit.com.
