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

PBO told to cost platforms outside campaign

Over five weeks, the PBO costed 130 proposals from four parties and published 72 of them, marking a faster pace than the 216 requests and 115 that were published in 2019 between June 24 and election day on Oct. 21 of that year.

PBO told to cost platforms outside campaign

Labour group slams Liberals over benefit change

Legislation introduced Wednesday in the House of Commons would, if passed, create the $300-a-week benefit for workers who find themselves off the job because of a pandemic-related lockdown between now and spring 2022.

Labour group slams Liberals over benefit change

Line of storms approaches B.C. after recent floods

A statement from the federal ministers of transport and emergency preparedness says the government is contributing up to $4.1 million to ease bottlenecks at Vancouver ports.

Line of storms approaches B.C. after recent floods

Return of stolen e-bicycle to its owner an unexpected and meaningful surprise

In speaking with the man, our officers learned he had only owned it for 3 days before it was allegedly stolen, says Corporal Adriana O’Malley, Richmond RCMP Media Relations Officer. He also went on to tell the officers that he never expected to see his bike again so he was absolutely delighted when the call came from police.

Return of stolen e-bicycle to its owner an unexpected and meaningful surprise

Vancouver mayor proposes a climate levy

Vancouver's mayor wants a new levy to fight climate change in the city's 2022 budget. If it's adopted by city council, Kennedy Stewart says the money raised from the levy would be used to cover infrastructure upgrades needed because of climate change.

Vancouver mayor proposes a climate levy

322 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

There are 3,015 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 210,828 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 318 individuals are in hospital and 109 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.