Vancouver Police are looking for more witnesses in two random assaults against elderly women on May 26th along the West Broadway corridor.
The first attack involved an 84-year-old woman who was sitting on her walker on West Broadway near Ash Street. As she waited for her ride, a man approached, kicked her off her seat, and walked away. The victim was taken to hospital with a broken elbow.
The second occurred two hours later near Broadway and Granville Street. A 70-year-old woman in a wheelchair out for a walk to meet her daughter was punched in the face. Police believe the assaults were committed by the same person.
Police arrested a 33-year-old Vancouver man a few days later and have recommended criminal charges in the second assault. However, investigators have not obtained enough evidence to support the recommendation of charges in the first attack near Ash Street.
Video from the area shows the assault near the fountain in the open courtyard on the northwest corner of Broadway and Ash Street, but is very poor quality and does not identify the suspect. Police have spoken with some of the witnesses seen in the video, but are hoping that additional witnesses, including one with the possible first name of Amber, come forward with any information that may provide investigators with the evidence needed.
Anyone who witnessed the assault or who observed the suspect is asked to call the VPD at 604-717-2541.
