A man has been arrested after a woman with a stroller was the victim of an alleged stranger attack in New West.
The New Westminster Police Department released a statement about what happened, saying that the incident occurred on May 5 at around 1 p.m. Police say the alleged assault took place at the pedestrian crosswalk near Carnarvon and 10th Street near the roundabout.
A witness reported that they observed a woman pushing a stroller being assaulted. When officers arrived on the scene, they were able to locate someone matching the suspect’s description.
The department said that the 27-year-old man did not immediately comply with officers.
“After several minutes of de-escalation, officers were able to safely place the suspect under arrest,” New West Police said.
“The child appeared to be unharmed; however, the mother sustained injuries to her face.”
The area where the alleged attack took place is just a short walk from New West SkyTrain Station. There are several local businesses in the area, including a coffee shop and a corner store.
Police have also named the suspect, who is from Coquitlam, as a Richard Wang. He has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm and one count of obstructing a police officer.
“This was an unprovoked and alarming assault on a mother walking with her child,” said New Westminster Police Sergeant Andrew Leaver.
“Thanks to a quick call to 911 and the work of responding officers, a suspect was taken into custody within minutes.”
The department is also issuing a special thank you to the witness who called the police.
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