VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
Vancouver police seek help identifying suspects in three assaults in one day
Police say three unprovoked stranger assaults occurred across Vancouver in one day. They have released descriptions of the suspects and are asking witnesses and anyone with CCTV footage to come forward.
Vancouver police are asking the public to help identify suspects in three unprovoked stranger assaults that happened across the city in one day.
The first incident occurred at about 6:10 a.m. at Victory Square on West Hastings Street. A 73-year-old woman was waiting in line for a recycling cup program when a suspect tried to steal bags containing her recyclable cups. Police said the woman tried to stop the theft, and the suspect punched her in the eye, pushed her to the ground and stole one bag before fleeing east on West Hastings Street near Cambie Street. She was taken to hospital in stable condition.
Police described the suspect as a woman in her 30s with shoulder-length dirty-blonde hair and blonde highlights. She was wearing a black jacket over a white sweater, black pants and white shoes.
The second incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. near Commercial Drive and Adanac Street. A 44-year-old man was talking on the phone when another man approached and made racist remarks, police said. The victim told him to leave him alone. The suspect then elbowed the victim in the chin before punching and kicking him. Witnesses intervened, and the suspect was last seen walking south on Commercial Drive.
The second suspect is described as a man between 40 and 50 years old, about five-foot-seven with a slim build. He was wearing a grey dress shirt, tan pants and white shoes, and carrying a green crossbody bag.
The third incident occurred at about 6:20 p.m. near Burrard and West Georgia streets. A 33-year-old resident was walking west when a man travelling in the opposite direction suddenly struck him on the back, police said. They briefly exchanged words before the suspect fled east on West Georgia Street.
Police described the third suspect as about five-foot-nine, with short black hair and a black beard. He was wearing a green winter jacket and carrying a black backpack.
In a release, Supt. Phil Heard asked anyone who witnessed any of the assaults, has CCTV footage or can help identify a suspect to contact Vancouver Police at 604-717-3321.