A suspect is in custody and a Mount Pleasant shopkeeper is recovering following a violent strong-arm robbery that prompted a major police response in East Vancouver on Saturday night.
Police are crediting three passersby who intervened to stop the robbery and prevent the victim from being seriously injured prior to the suspect’s arrest by VPD.
“Three total strangers acted bravely and decisively when a fellow citizen was in danger, and in doing so they stopped this violent crime in progress,” said Sgt. Steve Addison on Sunday. “We are grateful to these three men for their quick thinking, and for the actions they took to help someone in need.”
The 23-year-old victim was leaving work in Mount Pleasant shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday night when she was grabbed from behind by a man who was carrying a knife and had his face concealed. The suspect threatened to stab her, and as she called out for help, the suspect pulled her into a nearby lane.
A 29-year-old man was passing by when he heard the woman call for help and saw her struggling with the suspect. He immediately flagged over two men in a passing car, and together the three Good Samaritans began yelling at the suspect until he released the victim and fled. One of the men called 9-1-1.
More than 30 VPD officers, including members of the Vancouver Police Canine Unit, responded to the 9-1-1 call. As officers arrived, they provided care for the victim, collected crime-scene evidence, and began to search for the fleeing suspect, who was identified as a 59-year-old man who frequents the area.
The suspect was located in a vehicle around 10:30 p.m. by VPD Crime Watch volunteers patrolling near South Memorial Park at Ross Street and East 43rd Avenue. He was taken into custody by VPD officers and transported to jail, where he is currently in custody.
The victim received treatment in hospital and is recovering.
