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IQALUIT - RCMP are warning women in Iqaluit to be cautious when walking alone, following two more incidents involving a man dressed in black.

Both occurred on Qiyuttat Road, better known as the Joamie Hill or Happy Valley area, last week.

At around 4 a.m. on Sept. 28, a woman walking alone on the road was dragged into the ditch and sexually assaulted by a man clothed all in black.

These brown and black sunglasses were found at the scene of a sexual assault behind Inuksuk School in Iqaluit on Sept. 8. RCMP continue to investigate this incident, and two more which took place last week. - photo courtesy of RCMP

On Oct. 1 at around 4:46 a.m., a lone female walking along the same road was chased by a man also wearing all black. Both women were in their 20s, according to Sgt. Kim Melenchuk of Iqaluit RCMP.

RCMP are comparing the two incidents to see if they are linked, he said. These occurred just three weeks after another attack which sent a woman to hospital with multiple injuries.

On Sept. 8, the victim was sexually assaulted behind Inuksuk high school in Iqaluit around 8:45 p.m.

The suspect in that incident, who was also clad in black, was scared off by a witness.

The suspect ran towards the Green Row housing area. A pair of brown and black sunglasses was later found at the scene.

"We're investigating each of the incidents as much as possible," Melenchuk said.

Women in the Iqaluit area are encouraged to use extra caution while walking alone at night and to carry a cell phone or whistle, according to an RCMP release.

The attacks are making many women in the city nervous.

"I'm thinking of getting a cell phone," said Noodloo Peter.

"We have a car so I am usually driving but I'm thinking about a cell phone just in case I'm alone and something happens."

Peter said she's also more protective of her younger sibling. "I don't want my little brother to go visiting late or walking anywhere," she said.

Resident Sandra Stekel, meanwhile, said she still feels safe walking alone, as long as she takes the proper precautions. "I don't walk in any place I think I'm going to get hurt, and I'm well aware of my surroundings," she said.

Stekel also stressed she keeps her head up, "looking straight ahead and not appearing nervous" whenever she walks alone.

There were 38 sexual assaults reported in Iqaluit during the first eight months of 2008, three of which were committed with a weapon, according to Melenchuk. There were 51 sexual assaults reported during the same period of 2007.

"So sadly, the numbers are extremely high and the abuse and these sorts of crimes are continuous," Melenchuk said.

Residents are asked to contact the RCMP if they have any information about the three incidents from the past month, or any other ongoing investigation.