Jatinder Singh, a Surrey man, was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a woman in her house while she was sleeping. But Singh was released from custody after being charged. The BC Conservative party is criticizing his release as part of province’s “catch and release” that dumps violent offenders on our communities where they commit more crimes.
Surrey police informed that 24-year-old Singh of Surrey was arrested on August 16, 2024 after reports of an alleged stranger sexual assault in the 14100-block of 91 Avenue. The victim reported that she was woken up by a man groping her in her residence. The victim screamed for help and the suspect fled.
To advance the investigation, Surrey RCMP released a video of the suspect. “The person of interest is described as a South Asian man in his early 20s, 5’7 to 5’10 tall, average build, with a dark mustache and medium-length beard, wearing an orange turban, long dark-coloured shorts with a white stripe down the side, a dark blue t-shirt and flip flops. This individual may go by the name Akash,” the police said.
Singh was arrested on August 16, 2024 and was charged with the Break and Enter and Sexual assault. He was brought before the courts but released on conditions, some of which include:
Have no contact or communication, directly or indirectly with the victim
Not go to or be within 50 metres of where the victim lives, works, attends school, worships, or happens to be;
Not go to or be within 50 metres of where the offence occurred;
Not possess directly or indirectly any weapon as defined by the Criminal Code;
Not possess any knives.
“We are releasing a photo of Jatinder Singh as investigators believe there may be more people in our community who have additional information that could assist with advancing the investigation,” said Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer, Sergeant Tammy Lobb. “We encourage anyone with information to contact Surrey RCMP Special Victim’s Unit at 604-599-0502.”
BC Conservative candidate Elanore Sturko cexpressed concern on his release. She wrote on her social media platform, “I’m disturbed to see this suspect was released – and without a curfew. We have an alleged sexual predator who broke into a woman’s home and assaulted her while she slept, free to roam the streets at night. This is the NDP’s catch and release.”
