Skip to Main content

12.77°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Aug 17, 2021 12:07 AM -

VPD arrests suspect following East Van groping, assault

Share On

vpd-arrests-suspect-following-east-van-groping-assault

Vancouver Police arrested a 35 year old man Sunday morning, after two people were randomly assaulted while walking on Commercial Drive. (File Photo of Sgt. Steve Addison/Vancouver police/Twitter)

Vancouver Police arrested a 35 year old man Sunday morning, after two people were randomly assaulted while walking on Commercial Drive.

"These assaults appear to have been completely unprovoked," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "Fortunately, witnesses called 911 right away and VPD officers were able to arrest the suspect before anyone was seriously hurt."

Police believe the suspect was walking near Broadway and Commercial Drive around 8 a.m. Sunday when he allegedly approached a 35-year-old man outside a fast-food restaurant and sexually assaulted him by groping him from behind. A number of people saw the incident and called 911, but the suspect fled before police arrived.

Moments later, the suspect allegedly assaulted a woman who was walking alone near Commercial Drive and East 12th Avenue. He pushed her against a fence and punched her. Another witness called 911.

VPD officers arrested the suspect nearby and anticipate that charges will be laid at the conclusion of the investigation.

"We’re continuing to investigate these incidents to understand the suspect’s motivation and to determine whether these cases could be linked to other stranger attacks in the city," adds Sergeant Addison.

Latest news

illegal-gambling-investigation-in-metro-vancouver-leads-to-11-arrests

Illegal gambling investigation in Metro Vancouver leads to 11 arrests

Police in British Columbia say 11 people have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation in Metro Vancouver. According to investigators, the probe began in November 2025 after police received information about a suspected gaming house operating in Maple Ridge. Officers executed search warrants on April 29 at locations in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Surrey. Police said investigators seized gambling equipment, more than $34,000 in cash, and a shotgun fitted with a suppressor during the searches. Authorities have not released details about the identities of

lethbridge-man-charged-with-breaching-release-conditions-tied-to-child-sexual-abuse-case

AlbertaMay 08, 2026

Lethbridge man charged with breaching release conditions tied to child sexual abuse case

Lethbridge Police say a 36-year-old man has been charged after officers allegedly found him in contact with a youth while bound by court-ordered release conditions connected to previous child sexual abuse charges. According to a Lethbridge Police Service release, officers responded May 6 to a report of a vulnerable 15-year-old girl getting into a vehicle with an adult male in the parking lot of a northside swimming pool. Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as a man prohibited from having contact with anyone under 16 years old. Police said the accused was also subject to c

smith-presses-carney-on-pipeline-agreement-and-project-approvals

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Smith presses Carney on pipeline agreement and project approvals

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday to discuss federal–provincial energy cooperation and major infrastructure project approvals. Smith said Albertans and industry investors are growing frustrated with delays tied to large-scale projects. She called for an oil pipeline and energy cooperation memorandum of understanding to be finalized within days. According to Smith, some conditions tied to the agreement between the federal and Alberta governments were supposed to be completed by April 1, a deadline that has already passed. She also argued

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has

canada-post-begins-notifying-residents-of-end-to-door-to-door-mail-delivery

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli

Related News

Illegal gambling investigation in Metro Vancouver leads to 11 arrests

Illegal gambling investigation in Metro Vancouver leads to 11 arrests

Police in British Columbia say 11 people have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation in Metro Vancouver. According to investigators, the probe began in November 2025 after police received information about a suspected gaming house operating in Maple Ridge. Officers executed search warrants on April 29 at locations in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Surrey. Police said investigators seized gambling equipment, more than $34,000 in cash, and a shotgun fitted with a suppressor during the searches. Authorities have not released details about the identities of

Verdict expected in Abbotsford double homicide trial involving 2022 home invasion

Verdict expected in Abbotsford double homicide trial involving 2022 home invasion

A B.C. Supreme Court judge is expected to deliver a verdict today in the first-degree murder trial of three men charged in the deaths of an elderly Abbotsford couple during a 2022 home invasion. Court heard during the judge-alone trial that 77-year-old Arnold De Jong died from asphyxiation after his head and face were wrapped in duct tape, while 76-year-old Joanne De Jong was beaten and had her throat slashed. The couple’s bodies were discovered inside their Abbotsford home in May 2022. Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, all in their 20s, pleaded not guilty to first-degree mu

Police seek public help identifying suspect in Chilliwack bus driver assault

Police seek public help identifying suspect in Chilliwack bus driver assault

Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect connected to an assault on a bus driver earlier this year. According to police, the incident happened March 16 near South Sumas Road and Vedder Road in Chilliwack. Investigators said the suspect was a passenger on the bus and allegedly assaulted the driver, causing injuries. RCMP have not released details about what led to the incident. However, officers said investigators obtained video footage from the area showing a young man leaving the scene after the alleged assault. Police estimate the suspect is between 18 and 19

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital