Vancouver Police investigates assault at West Side convenience store

Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect who assaulted a man after being confronted about not wearing a mask, as mandated by provincial health orders, in a convenience store.

“Investigators have exhausted all leads to locate the suspect and are now turning to the public for help,” says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. A 7-Eleven store manager was assaulted inside the store near Alma Street and West 10th Avenue on December 17 just before noon. The suspect, who had a small dog, wasn’t wearing a mask. When the manager asked him to put on a mask, he allegedly spat on the store manager while yelling profanities at him.

#VPDLivestream VPD investigates assault at west side convenience store https://t.co/GphGIMZZqk

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) January 22, 2021

“A witness told police that the staff member and suspect were involved in physical altercation after the suspect was told to take his dog out of the store and put on a mask. Unfortunately the store manager sustained a cut to his head during the assault.”

The suspect appears to be in his 20s and has dark skin. He is about five feet ten inches with a medium build. He has dark short hair. He was wearing black Kapa shorts, a black t-shirt, a light-coloured, hooded sweater and black running shoes. Failure to wear a face covering in a public indoor space is a fine of $230.