B.C. crime news: Burnaby police warn of 'cleansing ritual' scam following sexual assault

Here's a round up of crime news from around B.C. on Sept. 9, 2024.

Published Sep 09, 2024  •  2 minute read

Here's a round up of crime news from around B.C. on Sept. 9, 2024. Postmedia

Here’s a round up of crime news from around B.C. on Sept. 9, 2024.

Suspect charged in Kelowna home invasion and stabbing

A suspect has been charged after allegedly breaking into a home and stabbing a woman several times this week.

On Sept. 7 around 1:15 p.m., Kelowna RCMP were called for a home invasion in the 1300-block Kelglen Crescent in Kelowna.

According to police, a female suspect broke into the home and stabbed a 28-year-old woman inside several times. The suspect was chased off after other individuals in the home confronted her.

Article content

The victim was treated by first responders and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim is now stable and remains in hospital.

About two hours later, police located a woman matching the suspect description at Richter Street and Clement Avenue and she was arrested without issue.

Morgan Marie Smith, 24, faces charges of aggravated assault and is in police custody. Smith is expected in court on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Burnaby police warn of ‘cleansing ritual’ scam following sexual assault

A man who said he was a Taoist master and performed cleansing rituals has been charged for sexual assault.

Burnaby RCMP said they were contacted on Aug. 5 for the report of a sex assault that had taken place in Burnaby that day.

The victim, a 29-year-old woman, said she was approached by a man at Crystal Mall who said he was a Taoist master and Chinese medicine practitioner. He offered to “perform a ritual to improve her health and life.”

The victim and the suspect then drove to another location where the suspect proceeded with a “so-called ‘cleansing ritual'”, during which the victim was touched inappropriately.

Article content

Following an investigation, police said 56-year-old Tianjin Gong was arrested at a Richmond mall. One charge of sexual assault was approved against Gong the following day.

He has been released from custody and ordered not to contact the victim and not to leave B.C. The victim cannot be identified due to a publication ban.

“We want the public to be aware of this scam to prevent further victims,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj.

“We would encourage anyone who has information to contact our investigators.”

Anyone with information about Gong or who may have interacted with him is asked to contact police at 604-646-9999 and quote 2024-26628.

[email protected]

Article content