A Vancouver man was left feeling bewildered and incredulous after an attempted carjacking while on his way to work near Stanley Park.
The incident occurred earlier this week in the early morning hours before 7 a.m.
Due to concerns for his safety and the potential for the suspect finding him, the victim requested that his name be kept anonymous.
On June 8, the victim was driving to work and had been just ahead of the lane leading into Stanley Park, which separates from the lane that leads to the Lions Gate Bridge.
“My morning route to work involves entering Stanley Park from West Georgia. The usual experience is entering through the single lane that leads into the park’s initial roundabout. Once a car passes a point of no return entering the park, you can either keep going or stop.”
He suggested that the suspect was capitalizing on that fact, noting that if you steal a car in that area, you’re surrounded by trees and likely few cameras.
“He was lurking on the right side of the road, signalling body language that suggested an intent to cross the single lane to head towards Lions Gate, which is very odd for where he was. He swivelled his head a few times like a typical pedestrian wanting to jaywalk before taking two long strides into the lane.”
As he continued driving cautiously, the victim noted that the suspect turned 90 degrees toward him and raised his hand to signal the victim to stop.
“My options were either to hit him or to stop. I slowed further at which point, he quickly strode towards me. As I rolled to a stop, I flicked my console, locking all my doors.”
That’s when things escalated, and moments later, the victim said the suspect was trying to open his door.
“He rapidly attempted opening my driver’s side door four times with his right hand, and then slapped my window twice with his left hand. Overall, his movements and reaction to my locked doors seemed like, to him, this was all as natural as if he was getting his car back from a valet,” the victim said, adding the suspect looked stunned he wasn’t already in the vehicle.
“Since he was no longer a physical obstacle to my way, I simply accelerated and left.”
He stated that the suspect behind the Vancouver carjacking was approximately six feet tall and weighed 180 pounds.
“I remember that his facial hair was trimmed and looked well-maintained,” the victim told Daily Hive, adding that it seemed like the suspect took great care in his appearance.
The victim arrived at his usual parking spot and noticed one of his coworkers on the phone, describing a situation similar to his own.
“I exited my vehicle and overheard them talking to the police, describing almost exactly what happened to me. I realized the severity of what could’ve happened.”
We asked the victim how he felt following the experience.
“I have not experienced anything remotely like this before. Frankly, I didn’t think a crime was occurring until I collected myself afterwards. Overall, I felt more incredulous and bewildered than anything. I’ve brushed it off for the most part. The most lasting impact has been my spouse worrying for my safety within and around Stanley Park.”
He added that he felt the weight of the situation when VPD told him that he could press charges.
We asked the VPD about the Vancouver carjacking incident, and Constable Tania Visintin had some more details to share.
“VPD got a report of a man who had jumped in front of a car, saying he was a Vancouver Police officer and needed to confiscate the car. The driver was able to drive off while the suspect was attempting to open the car door,” Visintin told Daily Hive.
She added that the same thing happened to someone else minutes later.
“Officers were able to locate the suspect and make an arrest.”
The suspect is facing several charges, including impersonating a police officer and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing.
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