Bystanders stabbed while stopping robbery suspect: Vancouver police

Vancouver police say one person has been arrested after two Good Samaritans were stabbed and another person was pepper sprayed in a Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong on Boxing Day.

According to the VPD, a man was meeting a potential buyer in Olympic Village just before 8 p.m. Tuesday when “the transaction turned violent.” Police allege the would-be buyer deployed pepper spray and tried to make a run for it without paying for the item the 36-year-old Vancouverite was trying to sell.

While this was taking place, the VPD says two people who were making food deliveries in the area overheard someone calling for help. Both delivery workers then reportedly saw the suspect trying to get away in a taxi.

With the help of another bystander, who was running errands in the area, police say the suspect was prevented from getting in the cab. However, in the process of stopping the man, officers say one delivery worker was stabbed in the hand while the other was stabbed in the shoulder. 

“These bystanders acted bravely and decisively to help a fellow citizen in need, and we commend their courage,” Sgt. Steve Addison said Wednesday.

“While we never want people to put themselves in harm’s way, we appreciate the quick thinking of these good Samaritans, who worked together to subdue the suspect while our officers were rushing to respond.”

Both delivery workers were treated in the hospital for their injuries, police say.

“We commend these brave citizens for their assistance in apprehending a violent suspect, and we recognize the risks they took to help someone they didn’t even know,” added Addison. “Their selfless actions stopped the suspect from getting away with the crime and may have prevented others from falling victim. We’re saddened that two good Samaritans were assaulted in the process and we wish them a full recovery.”

A 21-year-old Vancouver man has since been arrested. Police say they expect multiple charges to be laid.

The VPD is reminding people to “use caution” when selling and buying goods to strangers, saying “robberies and scams stemming from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist transactions continue to be a concern throughout the region.”

Police are encouraging anyone making a sale or buying something from an online forum to do so at the Safe Exchange Location, outside the VPD’s 2120 Cambie Street headquarters.