Police arrest downtown assault suspect

Vancouver police say they have identified and arrested a suspect related to a random assault last week.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says the 28-year-old victim was walking alone outside Hudson’s Bay on West Georgia Street just after 10 p.m. on Nov. 28, when he was hit in the face by a stranger.

The victim was knocked to the ground, sustaining facial injuries but didn’t go to hospital, the VPD says.

“This was a completely unprovoked and violent sucker-punch on a total stranger,” said Sgt. Steve Addison Tuesday. “Given this level of random violence, we have serious concerns that another innocent person could be assaulted and badly injured by this suspect. It’s imperative that we work quickly to gather all evidence from eyewitnesses and take this person into custody as soon as possible.”

(Courtesy VPD)

In an update Wednesday, the VPD says it met that imperative Tuesday afternoon.

“A VPD officer patrolling downtown spotted the suspect near Library Square and took him into custody,” Addison explained.

Police say the 29-year-old suspect remains in custody on other charges, and the department is still asking for witnesses and information.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact the VPD at 604-717-4022.

—With files from Charlie Carey