A charge has been approved two weeks after the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) shared footage of a woman randomly being elbowed on Commercial Drive by a man she didn’t know.
Today, VPD shared that an assault charge has been approved against 29-year-old Dylan Gaita in connection with an incident that took place on June 28.
Prior to the Commercial Drive incident, which took place on June 29, Gaita had been linked to four prior strange assaults against women, and the VPD pointed out that they believed there was the potential for there to be more victims who hadn’t come forward.
VPD shared a video of what transpired on Commercial Drive.
#VPDNews: An assault charge has been approved against a man following an alleged unprovoked attack on a woman on Commercial Drive.
The incident occurred at about 6:20 p.m. June 29. The woman was walking near East 1st Avenue and Commercial Drive when the suspect, who was walking… pic.twitter.com/vtSS76XoSw
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) June 30, 2026
Police issued a statement in a public appeal on June 30
“Incidents like this are serious and frightening for victims and witnesses,” said Constable Megan Lui at the time.
“Some people may feel too upset to talk to us. We encourage anyone with information to come forward and speak with investigators as they work on this case.”
Following the appeal for public information, VPD discovered another alleged attack that occurred on June 28 against a Vancouver man.
Police say that in that incident, a pedestrian was walking on Commercial Drive at Charles Street when Gaita allegedly shoulder-checked him. Police say this caused the pedestrian to lose his balance.
“The pedestrian reported the incident on July 4 after seeing the VPD news release issued on June 30,” VPD said.
Others responded to VPD’s post on X about the incident, claiming they’d also been attacked by Gaita.
This same man attacked me about a block away from London Drugs on Granville Street. He used his elbow to try to hit me in the face, but I saw it coming and moved out of the way, so he only struck my arm. I’m grateful it wasn’t worse
— ann cr (@ancecaru) July 1, 2026
Gaita remains in custody.