Charges in Vancouver stranger attacks, home invasion

A Vancouver man has been charged after a series of stranger attacks in the Fairview neighbourhood, as well as a home invasion last week.

Police say on Aug. 18, a 70-year-old man was under the Cambie Street Bridge, near the False Creek seawall, when he was attacked from behind. He was tackled to the ground, then punched and kicked several times, according to the VPD.

Less than an hour later, a woman was walking her dog in a lane near W. 11th Avenue and Spruce Street, where she was also approached from behind. The 33-year-old was punched in the face.

An hour and a half later, a third attack took place near West Broadway and Alder Street. A 23-year-old woman was stabbed. She was seriously hurt but is expected to survive.

“About 36 hours later, in the early hours of Aug. 20, a 54-year-old woman was attacked inside her Riley Park home following a home invasion. The woman suffered multiple serious and life-threatening injuries that required hospitalization,” the VPD said in a statement.

Related articles:

• Vancouver police investigating string of violent stranger attacks in Fairview

• Man charged with assault after stranger attack in Strathcona

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Patrol officers arrested a suspect nearby. They believe the same person is behind all four attacks.

Martin Lamb, 21, is charged with two counts of assault, two of aggravated assault, and one of break and enter.

With files from Andrew Cowie