Man accused of randomly punching people in Vancouver’s Marpole area
Posted August 24, 2021 12:15 pm.
Last Updated August 24, 2021 12:16 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A man is facing an assault charges after Vancouver police say two people were randomly attacked in the city’s Marpole area this week.
Police say a man walked up to a 37-year-old near Ontario St. and SE Marine Dr. Monday afternoon and punched him in the face for no apparent reason. The suspect then started following a 65-year-old man before punching him in the head and wrestling him to the ground, according to the VPD.
Witnesses stepped in and helped the senior who was hit, and then called police.
Related article: Vancouver police warn of spike in random attacks, share video of one assault
Sgt. Steve Addison says officers arrested a suspect shortly after the attacks.
“VPD has been alarmed by the significant increase in seemingly-unprovoked assaults throughout the city in recent weeks,” he said.
Last month, police warned of a spike in “stranger attacks” in Vancouver noting there were 17 in the last two weeks of July.
Related video: Surveillance video shows assault near Granville and Smithe streets in Vancouver
The suspect in this week’s recent incident has a “violent past” and is expected to be charged with assault.
