Elderly woman injured after alleged robbery attempt by 3 men in Chinatown

Vancouver Police are investigating an alleged daytime robbery attempt in Chinatown that sent an elderly woman to hospital last week, and are asking the public for help in identifying the suspects.

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According to police, the woman was walking near Main and Keefer around 9:30 am on May 22 when she was elbowed to the ground by a man.

After she fell, police said, two other men “joined in” and attempted to steal her purse.

However, the “woman held on,” and the men fled east on Keefer Street without the purse.

The senior suffered a broken hip as a result of the incident, and is now recovering in hospital.

“This woman was just minding her own business and walking down a city street when she was attacked by three men,” said VPD Const. Steve Addison, in a statement. “Violent crimes are traumatic experiences for everyone, but when one of our community’s most vulnerable is targeted, it strikes a new low.”

Investigators believe the man who knocked the victim down was white, 40-years-old, about 5’10” and wearing glasses, a tan hat, and a blue shirt. The second was described as Indigenous, in his 50s, with long grey hair. He was carrying a red Budweiser bag at the time of the incident. There is no description for the third man.

VPD said detectives from their Major Crimes Section have been searching for witnesses and security video from the neighbourhood as part of the investigation.

At this point, however, they have not been able to identify the attackers, and hope someone with information will come forward.

Anyone with information is asked call detectives at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.