RCMP are looking for a suspect in an unprovoked assault of a Coquitlam senior nearly three months ago.
An 85-year-old man suffered serious injuries after he was punched in the face by a dog-walker near Burke Mountain Pioneer Park (1428 Collins Rd.) in mid-March.
Spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said the incident was reported to police on May 18 and efforts to find the suspect have since come up short.
Around 11 a.m. on March 18, the senior was walking alone when he was approached by an unknown man with two leashed dogs.
Hodgins explained the man dropped the leashes and the dogs ran towards the senior, who tried to space himself from the animals with his cane.
However, the dog-walker ran to the victim, punched him in the face and left the scene on foot with the dogs.
The senior was helped by two witnesses that police are also looking to identify in the investigation.
"This incident is very concerning and we are appealing to the witnesses to contact our investigators to provide further information," said Hodgins in a release today (June 7).
"We want to thank these witnesses for providing assistance to the victim following this unprovoked assault."
Mounties are appealing to the public to help move the case forward with more witness accounts and possible video of the incident.
This includes dash cam, cell phone, surveillance, CCTV and general footage from around Pioneer Park on March 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
The suspect is described as:
- White
- 5'5"
- Strong build
- Last seen walking two dogs....
- One white
- One golden-orange
Anyone with more information or video of the assault is encouraged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file-number 2023-12739.
