Man charged in Chinatown stranger assault

A province-wide arrest warrant has been issued for a man accused of assaulting a 93-year-old man in Chinatown last fall – a high-profile stranger assault that launched a weeks-long Vancouver Police investigation.

The victim – a long-time neighbourhood resident – was walking near Main Street and East Pender Street on October 11 when he was assaulted by someone he didn’t know, suffering serious injuries that required hospitalization. The incident was captured on video, which VPD released publicly in an appeal for information.

Investigators from VPD’s Major Crime Section led the investigation, identified the suspect, and collected evidence that resulted in a criminal charge being laid earlier this week.

Henry Paul Wiens, 52, is now wanted B.C.-wide for assault causing bodily harm.

Wiens is known to spend time in the Downtown Eastside. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts is asked to call police immediately.