Man charged in alleged Kitsilano assault on senior

Vancouver police say Paul Henry Desroches, 53, was arrested Monday and charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm in connection with an alleged attack on a senior in Kitsilano. Police said he remained in custody Tuesday morning pending a bail hearing.

The alleged incident occurred near West Broadway and Macdonald Street on July 31. Police say a 73-year-old man approached a stranger who was yelling at passersby and asked him to stop and move along; the verbal exchange allegedly escalated and the senior was pushed to the ground.

The Vancouver Police Department had sought public help earlier Monday and said it received multiple tips about a man matching the released image and description. Police say Desroches was arrested without incident near West 4th Avenue and Vine Street.

The allegation has not been proven in court. Online court records show his next appearance is scheduled for Wednesday in Vancouver provincial court.