VPD seek suspect after woman allegedly punched in face while walking her dog

Mar 18 2021, 5:46 pm

Two months after a man allegedly punched a woman in the face while she was walking her dog in downtown Vancouver, police have released security footage of who they believe to be the suspect, hoping someone can help identify him.

“VPD investigators have been working to solve this crime since it occurred in January, but we have not been able to identify the person responsible,” said VPD Sgt. Steve Addison on Thursday. “We’re asking people to take a good look at the person in this video and to give us a call if you know who it is.”

Police said the 22-year-old woman was walking a dog near the Orpheum Theatre, at Seymour and Smithe Street, around 4:20 pm on January 19 when she was punched in the face by a man “for no apparent reason.”

The victim was traumatized but did not suffer serious physical injuries, they added. The suspect fled after the assault and was “briefly confronted” by a witness.

“This incident is very concerning to us, as it appears to have been random and completely unprovoked,” said Addison. “We don’t know why this woman was targeted, or what the suspect’s motivation was.”

The suspect is described as a white man, about 5’10, and approximately 50 years old. He had short white hair, jeans and was wearing a light blue jacket or sweater.

Anyone with information is asked to call 604-717-4021 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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