Police are warning females to be cautious when they're out for a run or walk after two women were groped by a bike-riding male within 20 minutes Tuesday morning.

Police believe the male was trolling for women because both victims saw him moments before they were sexually attacked in popular running areas in Winnipeg's River Heights neighbourhood.

"It looks like he's targeting," said Const. Jason Michalyshen, a police spokesman.

There are fears the suspect is a serial groper.

Michalyshen said there may be other victims who haven't reported the crimes to police.

If so, those females should call police immediately, Michalyshen said.

"I hate to think that's the case but there may be more out there that went unreported," Michalyshen said.

The first groping incident happened at 7:30 a.m.

A 27-year-old woman was jogging in the 1500 block of Wellington Crescent when she was approached from behind, pushed to the ground and groped to the lower body, police said.

The suspect fled but went after a second woman 20 minutes later. This time, the male approached a 42-year-old woman from behind and groped her lower body, police said.

That incident occurred near Grosvenor Avenue and Niagara Street.

The victims' physical injuries weren't serious, police said.

Police say people out for a walk or run should do so in pairs or groups, be aware of their surroundings at all times, and use populated paths.

If you're wearing headphones or earphones, leave one ear uncovered so you can hear what's going on around you, police said.

More safety tips are available online at winnipeg.ca/police.

Investigators are looking for a white male in his mid-20s. He has a dark complexion and brown eyes, is clean shaven, and was wearing a black puffy jacket with fish-line threading, a black hood and fur collar, police said.

The bicycle appeared to be a mountain bike, which is possibly black and yellow, police said.

chris.kitching@sunmedia.ca