ON Monday, May 5 at approximately 1 p.m., officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from a witness who said they had seen a woman pushing a stroller assaulted. Officers rushed to the area and located someone matching the suspect description. The suspect did not immediately comply with police; however, after several minutes of de-escalation, officers were able to safely place the suspect under arrest.
Officers learned from the victim that a stranger pushed her baby stroller before striking her in the face. The alleged assault took place in the pedestrian crosswalk on 10th Street near the roundabout at Carnarvon and 10th Street. The child appeared to be unharmed; however, the mother sustained injuries to her face.
Richard Wang, 27, of Coquitlam has been charged with one count each of assault causing bodily harm, and obstructing a police officer.
“This was an unprovoked and alarming assault on a mother walking with her child,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “Thanks to a quick call to 9-1-1 and the work of responding officers, a suspect was taken into custody within minutes.”
The New Westminster Police Department said it would like to thank the witness who dialed 9-1-1 to report the assault.
