National

Suspect Arrested in a Series of Stranger Assaults on Transit

Darpan News Desk Metro Vancouver Transit Police, 14 Feb, 2022 03:44 PM

New Westminster – Metro Vancouver Transit Police have arrested a suspect following a series of five seemingly random assaults on transit passengers.

The first incident occurred on October 29^th, 2021, at about 10:30 pm in front of Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station in Vancouver. A man was disembarking the number nine bus when he was approached from behind by the suspect who then allegedly kicked the victim several times in the legs and attempted to hit him in the face.

The second incident occurred on January 6^th, 2022, at about 5:30 pm, near Royal Oak Station when the suspect, who was seated on board a SkyTrain, got up from his seat and, without provocation, allegedly kicked the victim in the face.

The third and fourth alleged assaults occurred on January 26^th, 2022, at about 8:00 pm. The suspect, again without provocation, first allegedly punched a fellow passenger in the back of the head 3 or 4 times on board a SkyTrain near Metrotown Station. Shortly after, the suspect boarded another train and allegedly hit a second passenger in the face with an empty beer can.

In the last incident reported to police, which occurred on February 3^rd, 2022, at about 5:00 pm near Patterson Station, the suspect allegedly punched a SkyTrain passenger in the face 5 or 6 times while on board the train.

In all incidents, the suspect and victim were not known to each other, and there was no interaction between the two prior to the alleged assaults. The Metro Vancouver Transit Police General Investigation Unit linked this series of assaults to one suspect.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police are recommending five counts of assault for a 35-year-old New Westminster man who is known to police.

“Thankfully, none of the victims in these incidents sustained serious physical injuries. However, the escalating violent behaviour of this individual is very concerning, especially given that it was directed at complete strangers. Everyone has the right to feel safe on transit and violence of any kind will never be tolerated.” – Constable Amanda Steed

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents, or who may have been a victim of a similar incident and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact Transit Police by phone at 604.515.8300 or by text at 87.77.77

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally

Raising the international vaccination rate in less prosperous countries is the only way to prevent the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that are prolonging the pandemic through an endless cycle of lockdowns and serious illness, said Dr. Katharine Smart, the president of the leading association of Canadian medical professionals.

CMA urges Canada to speed vaccine access globally

Jan. home sales slow, supply low: Vancouver board

The B.C. board says home sales totalled 2,285 las month, an almost five per cent decrease from 2,389 in January 2021 and a 15 per cent fall from 2,688 in December 2021.

Jan. home sales slow, supply low: Vancouver board

Omicron cases peak but path ahead uncertain

The Omicron wave appears to be cresting across the country, but it's difficult to predict what's next for the pandemic, experts say. Prof. Bernard Crespi, an evolutionary biologist at Simon Fraser University, said the development of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 gives clues as to what might come.

Omicron cases peak but path ahead uncertain

Shooting in Central Abbotsford at a local apartment results in arrests of two men

Charges of Aggravated Assault have been approved against 36-year-old Haman Lamar Benamaisia & 39-year-old Adam Marton. An additional count of Assault with a Weapon was approved against Mr. Marton.

Shooting in Central Abbotsford at a local apartment results in arrests of two men

Ottawa protest racks up costs to city, businesses

Crowds that first arrived Friday have thinned out considerably on Parliament Hill and the surrounding area, where anti-COVID-19 restriction demonstrators have been protesting, and honking loudly, for days.

Ottawa protest racks up costs to city, businesses

1,236 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

There are 28,302 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 293,488 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 1,035 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 139 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.