Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking the public for help in identifying a man who allegedly attacked a woman, pulling her hair and punching her multiple times while on a bus in east Vancouver.
On April 15 at roughly 4:25 p.m., a man boarded a bus near the intersection of Main Street and East Hastings in Vancouver. Shortly after, two Asian women, wearing protective masks, boarded the bus and sat down. The man immediately directed his attention to the two women, stating words to the effect of “Go back to your country; that’s where it all started.”
A woman who was sitting directly across from the man told him to leave the two women alone. After she spoke up, the man began to argue with her and he allegedly threatened her. Moments later, the suspect allegedly jumped up and kicked the victim in the leg. When the victim stood up to defend herself, the suspect allegedly reached over and violently pulled the victim’s hair, pulling so hard that a large clump of hair was pulled from her head.
The suspect allegedly punched the victim numerous times in the head and wrestled her to the ground. While pinned to the floor of the bus, the victim was able to fight the suspect off. The victim received bruising to her leg and an injured scalp.
Following the attack, the suspect left the bus and was last seen running away near Commercial Drive and East Hastings.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 45-55 years old, approximately 5’6”, weighing 180 lbs, with a stocky build. He was wearing a red baseball hat with the letter “V” marked in the centre, a blue t-shirt, light grey sweat pants and blue shoes. He was carrying a dark grey jacket with a grey backpack.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police note that violence and racism have no place on the transit system. They would like to speak to anyone with information about the identity of this suspect or who witnessed this incident.
Contact the Metro Vancouver Transit Police tip line at 604.516.7419 or text them at 87.77.77 and refer to file 2020-7645.
