Vancouver Police have arrested a 23-year-old Calgary man following a short crime spree where he is alleged to have snatched a purse, stolen a van, and then robbed a restaurant before being apprehended by witnesses.
A 64-year-old Vancouver woman was standing at the intersection of Main Street and East King Edward at around 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday when someone grabbed her purse from behind. There was a struggle and the woman fell to the ground before the robber ran off with her purse. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Approximately five minutes after the purse snatching, someone stole a 1999 Toyota van after it was left running on Main Street near East 19 Avenue.
At around 4:25 p.m., a man stood in line at a restaurant on Kingsway Avenue near Fraser Street. When the cash register opened, he allegedly reached in and grabbed cash from the till. Witnesses chased the suspect and were eventually able to hold him for police. Two of the witnesses received minor injuries during the altercation.
Walker Franciscas Frijters has now been charged with robbery, two counts of theft, assault, assault with a weapon, and assault causing bodily harm. He remains in custody.
