Vancouver police say three unprovoked stranger assaults occurred across the city within one day, and they are asking the public to help identify suspects.
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Vancouver police say a 73-year-old woman was assaulted shortly after 6:10 a.m. at Victory Square on West Hastings Street when a suspect tried to steal bags containing her recyclable cups. Police allege the woman attempted to stop the theft, but the suspect punched her in the eye, pushed her to the ground, and stole one of the bags before fleeing eastbound on West Hastings Street near Cambie Street. The woman was taken to hospital in stable condition, and police describe the suspect as a woman in her 30s with shoulder-length dirty-blonde hair with blonde highlights, wearing a black jacket, a white sweater underneath, black pants and white shoes.
Police say a second incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. near Commercial Drive and Adanac Street, involving a 44-year-old man who was talking on the phone. Officers allege a man approached him and made racist remarks, then elbowed him in the chin before punching and kicking him after the victim told the suspect to leave him alone. Witnesses intervened, and police say the suspect was last seen walking southbound on Commercial Drive. The suspect is described as a man between 40 and 50 years old, about five feet seven inches tall with a slim build, wearing a grey dress shirt, tan pants, white shoes and a green crossbody bag.
The third assault took place at about 6:20 p.m. near Burrard and West Georgia streets, police say. A 33-year-old resident was walking westbound when a man walking in the opposite direction allegedly struck him on the back, and the two briefly exchanged words before the suspect fled eastbound on West Georgia Street. Police describe the suspect as about five feet nine inches tall, with short black hair and a black beard, wearing a green winter jacket and carrying a black backpack.
In a release, Supt. Phil Heard said: “We are asking anyone who witnessed any of these assaults, has CCTV footage, or can help identify any of the suspects to contact Vancouver Police at 604-717-3321.”
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