The Vancouver Police Department is asking for witnesses after three unprovoked stranger assaults reported Thursday, including injuries to a 73-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man.
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Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers are seeking witnesses after three unprovoked stranger assaults were reported in the city on Thursday.
The first incident took place at Victory Square, 200 West Hastings Street, around 6:10 a.m. A 73-year-old woman was waiting in line for a recycling cup program when a woman approached her and attempted to steal her bags of cups. When the victim tried to stop the suspect, the suspect punched her in the eye and pushed her to the ground. The suspect stole one bag and left eastbound on West Hastings Street near Cambie. The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition.
The suspect in the first assault is described as a woman in her 30s with shoulder-length dirty-blonde hair with blonde highlights. VPD said she was wearing a black jacket, a white sweater, black pants and white shoes.
The second incident happened around 12:30 p.m. near Commercial Drive and Adanac Street. A 44-year-old man was on his cell phone when he was approached by a man who made racist remarks. The suspect elbowed the victim in the chin, punched him and kicked him. VPD said the suspect stopped only after witnesses pulled him away, and then left walking southbound on Commercial Drive.
The suspect in the second assault is described as a man between 40 and 50 years old, about five foot seven inches tall with a slim build. VPD said he was wearing a grey dress shirt, tan pants, white shoes and a green cross-body bag.
The third incident took place around 6:20 p.m. near Burrard and West Georgia Street. A 33-year-old man was walking when another pedestrian struck him in the back. VPD said there was a brief exchange of words before the suspect left eastbound on West Georgia Street.
The suspect in the third assault is described as being about five feet nine inches tall, with short black hair and a black beard. VPD said he was wearing a green jacket and carrying a black backpack.
Anyone who may have witnessed the assaults or knows the identity of any of the suspects is asked to contact the VPD at 604-717-3321.
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