Arrest made in Valentine’s Day stranger attacks on women in Richmond

A suspect has been arrested after two women were randomly attacked on Valentine’s Day in Richmond.

Richmond man Ernesto Mendoza Malgapo, 41, was arrested on Friday near the 8000-block of Cook Road. Police allege Malgapo is responsible for both incidents.

On the morning of Feb. 14, a police officer was flagged down by a bystander who had found a woman lying on the sidewalk along the 6400-block Buswell Street between Cook Road and Saba Road.

Later, police received a report from a second woman who said she was assaulted by an unknown man at around the same time that day while walking along the sidewalk in the same block.

The Prosecution Service of B.C. has approved one count of assault causing bodily harm.