Vancouver – Vancouver Police are investigating a series of violent incidents that kept officers stretched to all corners of the city this weekend.
#VPDLivestream VPD investigates surge in weekend violence. https://t.co/dEs9L4SEY6
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) January 10, 2022
“From the downtown core to the South Slope, and from East Van to the west side, VPD officers were called on to investigate multiple violent crimes,” says Sergeant Steve Addison. “These included commercial robberies, stranger assaults, road rages, and several stabbings.
Downtown
- A 55-year-old cab driver was injured and traumatized Friday night after a passenger allegedly assaulted him with a weapon, threatened him, and forced him to drive from Richmond to Downtown Vancouver. The cabbie was allegedly ordered to drive through red lights and veer into oncoming traffic by the passenger, who appeared paranoid and thought people were following him. VPD officers arrested the suspect after he allegedly got out of the cab and started threatening staff at the London Drugs near Granville and Georgia Street. A 43-year-old man has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and possession of a weapon. He is due back in court on Wednesday.
- A West End man was injured after being allegedly attacked with a knife by a neighbour who refused to wear a mask inside the elevator of their West End apartment building. VPD received a number of 9-1-1 calls Saturday afternoon after an argument in the hallway of their Pendrell Street apartment building turned violent. Police believe the victim, 48, had confronted the suspect in the elevator because he wasn’t wearing a mask. The 56-year-old suspect allegedly threatened and assaulted the victim, who did not suffer life-threatening injuries. The suspect has been charged with assault with a weapon and uttering threats.
- VPD officers patrolling Granville Street found a 39-year-old man badly injured and bleeding heavily from a stab wound to the neck around 4:40 p.m. Saturday. Investigators believe the man was stabbed inside an apartment building near Granville and Nelson Street, then walked outside before collapsing on the sidewalk. The victim was taken to hospital for surgery, and is now expected to survive. No arrests have been made and the incident remains under investigation.
East Van
- A 23-year-old fast food worker had to defend himself with a bread knife after a man smashed the front door, jumped the counter, grabbed him by the neck, then stole the cash register during a Saturday afternoon robbery on Powell Street. The victim, who was not seriously hurt, fled to a neighbouring business and asked a staff member to call 9-1-1. The suspect fled with the till before police arrived, however investigators were able to track him to an apartment building near East Hastings Street and Campbell Avenue. He was arrested for robbery and is awaiting his first court appearance.
- A man bleeding from the hand walked into International Village, near Abbott and Pender streets, and began kicking over signs, smearing blood on railings, and flicking blood at security guards on Saturday night. The man left the mall before police arrived, however investigating officers reviewed security footage and recognized him from previous incidents. Kelvin Beddows was later arrested and has since been charged with mischief and assault. He remains in custody.
- A chronic offender with 128 prior criminal convictions was arrested Saturday near Stadium SkyTrain station and has been charged with robbery. VPD was called around 5:30 p.m. after a man, who was waiting inside his vehicle while his wife went grocery shopping, was approached by the suspect, who had a knife. The suspect allegedly climbed into the bed of the man’s truck, which was parked on Abbott Street, flashed the knife, and demanded money, then threatened to slash the driver’s tires. VPD officers arrested Jason Fish nearby. He is currently in custody.
West Side
- A man driving near Vancouver General Hospital on Saturday afternoon had to slam on his breaks to avoid hitting a pedestrian who had darted out in front of him. The pedestrian became enraged and started hitting the vehicle. She then punched the man repeatedly, broke his glasses, and sprayed an unknown substance in his face. The victim, a 36-year-old man from Marpole, called police, but the suspect fled before police arrived. The suspect is a Black woman in her forties, with long black dreadlocks and black clothes.
- The host of an Oakridge house party was assaulted with bear spray after an unknown person tried to enter the house early Sunday morning. Investigators believe the suspect tried to follow a number of people into the house, where about 15 people were gathered. When the 21-year-old host refused to let the person in, he was sprayed in the face. VPD officers responded, offered assistance to the victim, and broke up the party. There were no serious injuries.
VPD encourages anyone who is the victim of a crime, or has information about a crime, to call police so officers can investigate. Any in-progress crime where a suspect is on scene or there is an immediate risk to the public should be reported to 9-1-1. Less urgent matters, where a suspect has left and police are not immediately required, can be reported to VPD’s non-emergency line at 604-717-3321, or in some cases, reported online.
