National

VPD arrests suspect following East Van groping, assault

Darpan News Desk , 16 Aug, 2021 04:12 PM

Vancouver Police arrested a 35-year-old man Sunday morning, after two people were randomly assaulted while walking on Commercial Drive.

“These assaults appear to have been completely unprovoked,” says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. “Fortunately, witnesses called 9-1-1 right away and VPD officers were able to arrest the suspect before anyone was seriously hurt.”

Police believe the suspect was walking near Broadway and Commercial Drive around 8 a.m. Sunday when he allegedly approached a 35-year-old man outside a fast-food restaurant and sexually assaulted him by groping him from behind. A number of people saw the incident and called 9-1-1, but the suspect fled before police arrived.

Moments later, the suspect allegedly assaulted a woman who was walking alone near Commercial Drive and East 12th Avenue. He pushed her against a fence and punched her. Another witness called 9-1-1.

VPD officers arrested the suspect nearby and anticipate that charges will be laid at the conclusion of the investigation.

“We’re continuing to investigate these incidents to understand the suspect’s motivation and to determine whether these cases could be linked to other stranger attacks in the city,” adds Sergeant Addison.

Vancouver Police have seen a significant increase in stranger assaults and sexual assaults this summer. In July alone, there was a 129 per cent increase in stranger sexual assaults reported to police.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Record set for drug deaths so far in 2021 in B.C

The agency says 851 people died between January and May, which surpasses the previous high of 704 deaths reported for those months in 2017 by almost 21 per cent.

Record set for drug deaths so far in 2021 in B.C

BC eases more restrictions as we enter Stage 3 of its restart plan, masks not required as of July 1

The province will be recommending people wear masks in public indoor spaces if they are partially vaccinated or not vaccinated. No recommendation to wear a mask for those who are fully vaccinated.

BC eases more restrictions as we enter Stage 3 of its restart plan, masks not required as of July 1

Vaccines saved lives already, says Tam

Canada's chief public health officer says without vaccines the third wave of COVID-19 in Canada would have been much deadlier. Dr. Theresa Tam says as vaccines began to roll out among the most vulnerable, older populations in Canada, she was "quite struck" by how quickly infections and deaths plummeted in that age group.

Vaccines saved lives already, says Tam

Liberals set 2035 goal for electric vehicle sales

The Liberal government is speeding up its goal for when it wants to see all light-duty vehicles sold in Canada to be electric. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Tuesday that by 2035 all new cars and light-duty trucks sold in the country will be zero-emission vehicles.

Liberals set 2035 goal for electric vehicle sales

Burnaby RCMP respond to 25 sudden death calls in just 24 hours due to heatwave

Temperatures in the Vancouver area reached just under 32 C Monday, but the humidity made it feel close to 40 C in areas that aren't near water, Environment Canada said.

Burnaby RCMP respond to 25 sudden death calls in just 24 hours due to heatwave

COVID-19 deaths may be twice that reported: Study

A new study suggests Canada has vastly underestimated how many people have died from COVID-19 and says the number could be two times higher than reported.