A 42-year-old has been arrested in Vancouver after a series of bear spray assaults and thefts in the Kits Point area.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) shared some information about the incidents on Friday, Sept. 25. The incidents occurred on Thursday.
According to the VPD, the suspect Jonathan Laberge-Labrecque has been charged with several crimes.
On Thursday, at around 1 p.m., Vancouver police officers received a report that a can of bear spray was stolen from someone’s vehicle in the Kits Point neighbourhood near the 1900-block of Ogden.
“When the man was confronted by the vehicle owner, he allegedly deployed bear spray before walking away,” VPD said.
Approximately 10 minutes later, a second victim reported that the same man approached his work vehicle nearby.
“When confronted, the man allegedly sprayed the second victim with bear spray, and grabbing and throwing their cellphone before leaving the area,” VPD stated.
“Shortly afterward, the man allegedly approached a woman, pointed bear spray at her, and demanded a ride or access to her vehicle.”
When officers arrived in the area and found the suspect, VPD says he refused to comply with directions, allegedly spraying bear spray multiple times at the responding officers before he was able to be taken into custody.
Vancouver residents should feel relieved to learn that the suspect remains in custody; however, he is awaiting a bail hearing.
Laberge-Labrecque has been hit with four charges, including:
- One count of theft under $5,000
- One count of robbery
- Two counts of assault with a weapon
- Three counts of assault with a weapon of a peace officer