Montreal police are searching for a suspect who allegedly posed as an officer for sexual assault

The Montreal Police Department's (SPVM) sexual assault unit is asking for the public's help in finding a suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted her last November.

The SPVM says it plans to set up a command post at the intersection of Boulevard l'Assomption and Avenue Pierre de Coubertin on Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m.

The November 25 attack is believed to have taken place at a building under construction in the Notre-Dame-de-Victoire neighborhood in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.

According to the police, at 4:00 p.m. that day, the suspect posed as a police officer and stopped two young people who were investigating the building.

“Under the pretext of being in charge of security, he held them against their will and sexually assaulted one of the youths,” SPVM said in a statement.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 40s, approximately 5'9″ and speaks English.

He has a white beard and smells of cigarettes.

He was wearing a navy bulletproof vest with the word “police” on it.

Anyone with information is asked to come to the command post to speak with investigators.

Witnesses can also call 911 or go to their local police station with information.

A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.