Stranger assaults are on the rise in Vancouver, and police say the trend is "very concerning."
Now authorities are turning to the public to help them identify suspects caught on surveillance video taking part in one such attack.
The assault took place on Granville and Smithe streets at about 3:30 a.m. on July 11, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
The victim was walking home when he was approached by a couple of men, who were soon joined by others.
Security footage shows one suspect pushing the victim to the sidewalk. Though the suspects pick up the man, they walk him towards the street, where he is pushed into a lane.
While in the lane, the victim was assaulted and had his wallet taken, said the VPD.
Police indicate the three suspects in question appear to be South Asian and in their early 20s. They are described as follows:
- The first suspect is about five feet ten inches tall. He has short hair and large ears. He was wearing a white t-shirt, white pants and a green jacket. He was also carrying a black satchel across his chest.
- The second suspect is about five feet eleven inches tall with a medium build. He has short dark hair. He was wearing a grey hooded sweater and black pants.
- The third suspect is about five feet nine inches tall with curly dark brown hair. He was wearing a white sweater and grey sweatpants.
Because the stranger assault took place when the area bars were closing for the night, authorities believe witnesses may have seen the incident or know the men involved.
"We know there were people still out and they may have seen what happened and can identify these men,” said Constable Visintin of the VPD in a media release. “There is no excuse for anyone to get attacked for absolutely no reason.”
“Unfortunately, stranger attacks have been prevalent in recent weeks throughout Vancouver and this is very concerning,” added Visintin. “In the past two weeks, there have been 17 random assaults reported city-wide.”
Anyone who has information or if they recognize the men in the video is asked to call Vancouver Police at 604-717-4022.
