suspect arrested, charged after stranger assaults

A man is in custody following two reported unprovoked assaults on strangers in downtown Vancouver Sunday.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says a 40-year-old man was walking near Granville Street and West Pender Street around 11:30 a.m. when a stranger approached.

Police allege the stranger pushed the man “several times” before walking away.

“Moments later, the same suspect allegedly approached a couple walking along Granville Street and violently threw one of them to the ground before fleeing on foot,” said a VPD release Tuesday.

Police say witnesses chased the suspect to a nearby lane and held him until officers arrived.

The BC Prosecution Service has charged a 29-year-old man with two counts of assault and one count of assault by choking. He is expected in court Tuesday.

The VPD says a 30-year-old woman, visiting from Germany, was taken to hospital for minor physical injuries related to the attacks.

Police did not provide an update on other victims.