Police in Kelowna are looking for a man they say has been posing as a reflexologist.
Kelowna RCMP report two incidents involving the suspect approaching and touching individuals.
A woman told police she was in a parking lot on the 1800 block of Harvey Avenue on Aug. 11 at 10:20 a.m. when a Caucasian male about 50 years of age and six feet tall with short salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a Blue Jays shirt, approached her explaining that he was a reflexologist and asked to take pictures of her feet.
Police say the woman stated she was caught off guard and let him take photos.
The man then massaged and rubbed her feet. RCMP say the suspect then asked her if it feels good and if he can take two minutes to give her a proper massage.
The woman said no and the man continued to rub and massage her feet.
The man kept rubbing and said, "in about 30 seconds you will feel so good." The woman again told the man no, and he continued until she yelled again. She then pulled her foot away and left.
RCMP say they later received a report that a woman, 19, was approached on Sept. 1 at around 10:50 a.m. in the a parking on the 2900-block Pandosy Street when a middle-aged man persuaded her to let him rub and video record her feet.
It was reported that the man commented that he liked her toenail polish. Police say the suspect asked to look at the bottom of her feet and asked her questions, like if she is on her feet all day.
Again, the man claimed he was a reflexologist and asked her multiple personal questions.
The woman told the man that she could see his phone was recording the interaction. Police say the woman was frozen in fear during the event and was not sure what to do.
The man asked to inspect her other foot, but this time the woman put her shoes back on and walked away. The woman told RCMP she felt the interaction was sexual and she felt victimized by the encounter.
“Kelowna RCMP are extremely concerned by these two separate and unusual interactions,” said Const. Terry Jimmieson with the Kelowna RCMP.
“We are looking to speak with this man in order to understand his motives.”
The man in the second incident was described as middle-aged with a short well-kept beard, five-foot-10 with a slim build. The man was walking a small dog at the time.
Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, ears, and or hands. This is done using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without the use of oil or lotion.
The RCMP are asking that if you have been approached by this man and have not yet contacted the RCMP to please do so at (250) 762-3300 and reference police file 2022-55452.
