ON February 8 at approximately 1:25 p.m., a man was assaulted and robbed after speaking with a group of people on Alexander Street.

One man from the group hit the victim causing the victim to fall to the ground, where he was kicked, punched, and may have been struck with a weapon. The same suspect brandished a switchblade and gave chase as the victim ran towards Eighth Street.

The victim was provided support from New Westminster Police Department officers and was assessed by BC Ambulance.

The New Westminster Police Department is asking anyone who witnessed this assault to contact officers about what they saw. The suspect is described as a white man in his thirties with short brown hair, standing 5’9” tall, with a medium build, and tattoos on his hands and face. He was wearing a colourful shirt with a black jacket.

“This is a busy area of the downtown neighbourhood and we believe there are people who witnessed this assault and have not yet spoken to police,” said Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “It’s important that offenders of this kind of violence are held accountable.”

The New Westminster Police Department is requesting anyone who witnessed the incident to speak to one of its investigators by calling 604-525-5411.