Vancouver Police release video of suspect responsible for a string of purse thefts in Downtown
Darpan News Desk Vancouver Police, 10 Mar, 2023 06:03 PM
Vancouver Police are releasing video of recent purse thefts in highly populated businesses in the downtown core to illustrate how easily this crime can happen.
The following incidents have been reported since January, and investigators believe that the same person is responsible for all:
One victim placed her purse on the back of her chair while eating at a downtown restaurant near Robson and Nicola streets. When she noticed it was missing, the suspect had fled.
While in the lobby of a hotel near Waterfront Road and Burrard Street, another victim had her purse placed on the table beside her when a man took it without her noticing.
A victim hung her purse under a scarf on the chair beside her. The suspect dropped his backpack on her purse and then took her purse at the same time he picked up his backpack. He took the victim’s wallet and then put her purse back on the chair.
While eating at a busy restaurant on Robson Street, the suspect stole a victim’s purse that was on the bench beside her. It contained a passport, ID, and money.
“Sadly, purse thefts are not an uncommon occurrence,” says Constable Tania Visintin. “We want to make the public aware, and ask them to be more mindful when and where they put down their belongings.”
The VPD offers the following tips:
keep your purse and belongings close to your body so they aren’t easily grabbed
when in a restaurant or other public area, do not leave your purse draped over the back of your chair
when shopping, do not leave your purse unattended in the change room or shopping cart
carry keys and identifying documents in your pocket, so if your purse is stolen thieves won’t have your house keys
if possible, do not carry large amounts of money with you
Police said this week that a group of up to 10 teen girls allegedly assaulted several people at random at downtown Toronto subway stations on Dec. 17. Investigators have not confirmed whether the group is the same one that allegedly stabbed a homeless man who later died in hospital – those teens congregated after meeting on social media.
Premier David Eby says the fund will allow non-profit groups to buy older buildings and protect renters from property speculators. Eby says in B.C. and across Canada older rental buildings are being purchased by property speculators and large corporations that redevelop the housing, evict the current tenants and either increase the rent or sell the units.
The shut down will result in a reduction of 280,000 tonnes of market kraft pulp annually. Canfor says the decision to close the pulp line at the Prince George mill came after an "extensive analysis" of its operations and the long-term supply of fibre in the area.
On January 9, 2023, shortly after noon, Surrey RCMP attended a residence in the 15600-block of 112 Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered three deceased adults inside the home. The IHIT says the bodies of 56-year-old Xiao Yan Zhen, 58 year-old Li Li and their 24-year-old son, Daniel Li, were in the home.
Rain and wind warnings cover much of Vancouver Island and the inner south coast as the remnants of a storm that brought flooding to California now hammers southern B.C. Environment Canada estimates total rainfall of 50 to 100 millimetres before conditions ease Friday.
The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit has learned the victim was assaulted by someone who was with two other people at the time of the assault. After the assault, the group left the area in a vehicle, and investigators are hoping by sharing video of this vehicle, a suspect will be identified.
