A New Westminster man charged with sexual assault is on the run.
Fred Bilawey was arrested and charged in March with one count of sexual assault relating to a help-wanted ad he allegedly posted on Craiglist. As The Record previously reported, the victim alleges she was sexually assaulted after responding to the ad.
New Westminster police released Bilawey’s photo to the public in April in an attempt to locate other possible victims in the case. Shortly after the photo was released, Bilawey, who was believed to be suicidal, fled the city. Police initiated a search and eventually located Bilawey but wouldn’t say where he was found.
It’s been two months since Bilawey skipped town and now the Crown is looking to locate the 52-year-old after he failed to appear in court as scheduled.
“The New Westminster Police Department can confirm that Mr. Fred Bilawey is currently charged with one count of sexual assault under section 271 of the Criminal Code,” read a statement Staff Sgt. Paul Hyland emailed to The Record. “We can also confirm that a warrant for Mr. Bilawey's arrest currently exists, issued after he failed to make a court appearance on this matter. New Westminster Police Department investigators have information that Mr. Bilawey is not currently in the country; however further specifics on this are not being released at this time.”
