Vancouver Police say an employee at a Gastown business was allegedly confronted by an unmasked shopper who uttered racial slurs at her.
On Sunday (Oct. 3), an employee at a business located near Abbott and West Cordova streets was confronted by a man who entered the store without who was not complying with the provincial mask mandate, explains a news release. The man began acting aggressively and "uttered racial slurs" at the woman, who is Asian.
When the employee attempted to call 9-1-1, the mask-less man grabbed her phone out of her hands and threw it to the ground.
VPD officers are now looking for the suspect, who fled before police arrived.
The VPD says the alleged assault is one of several incidents that kept police busy in Gastown over the weekend.
VPD officers were called three times over the weekend to a nightclub in the same area after someone smashed a window, went inside, and stole liquor bottles in the early morning hours.
“Business owners and their staff are already struggling to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions that have affected their ability to make ends meet,” says Sergeant Steve Addison. “Rising crime and public safety issues are compounding the pressures they face.”
VPD officers also recovered nearly $3,000 worth of merchandise that was stolen from a local store. A man was caught with the stolen goods when he was attempting to sell them in the Downtown Eastside.
In another incident, officers responded to a report of a man who was stabbed in the neck, shoulder, and abdomen by a "complete stranger." A 33-year-old man was later arrested on West Hastings Street and was set to appear in court on Monday. The victim is expected to survive.
All in-progress incidents, or anything that could put someone’s health and safety at risk, should be immediately reported to 911, notes the VPD. Less serious incidents, where there are no safety concerns and the suspect has left, can be reported online or to VPD’s non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.
