Vancouver police appeal for help in finding purse snatcher
Last Updated: Monday, March 17, 2008 | 4:26 PM PT
CBC News
Vancouver police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who has snatched purses and stolen money at knifepoint from taxi drivers dating back to Feb. 7.
The man in this photograph may be linked to a series of robberies dating back to Feb. 7. Police have asked for the public's help in identifying the suspect.
(Vancouver Police Department)
Police said victims have described the man as black, aged 25 to 35, medium build and about 5-foot-9. One witness described him as having "bulgy-eyes.''
In the past several weeks, police suspect the same man may have been involved in the following incidents:
The theft of a purse from a woman who said was approached on Feb. 2, just before midnight, while walking home on East Broadway St. The man tried to engage her in conversation and as she entered her apartment building, he grabbed her purse and ran off.
The theft of cash from a taxi driver on Feb. 14 around 2 a.m., in the area of Main St. and East Broadway St. As the driver reached into his pocket to make change, a man who had gotten in the front seat of the cab punched and kicked the driver, before taking off with a sum of money.
An attack on a cab driver on Feb. 16, at 2 a.m., in the area of West. Broadway St. and Hemlock St. Before exiting the cab, the man rifled through the driver's pockets.
The theft of a purse from a woman who was walking home on East 6th Ave., near Main St. on Feb 19, just before 1 a.m. Police said a man tried to strike up a conversation and when the woman didn't respond, he produced a knife and grabbed her purse. The woman's hand was injured during the incident.
A taxi driver was attacked on March 6, just before 2 a.m., by a male passenger he picked up near Clark Drive and East Broadway. Police said the fare asked for help with some luggage and as the driver stepped onto the sidewalk, the man attacked him with a knife, cutting off a fanny pack from around his waist.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the Vancouver Police General Investigation Unit at (604) 717-3349 ext. 2195.
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Surrey RCMP seek hit-run driver
- Police are looking for a light-coloured Chrysler with damage to the driver's front side after a pedestrian was hit in Surrey, B.C., early Sunday morning. more »
- B.C. man who scaled Everest returns home
- A Vancouver man who climbed the world's highest mountain is back home and talking about the adventure. more »
- Fort Langley restaurant damaged in fire
- A sushi restaurant in Fort Langley, B.C., was damaged in a fire early Sunday morning. more »
Top News Headlines
- Canadian Pacific strikers face back-to-work legislation
- Labour Minister Lisa Raitt is prepared to end the Canadian Pacific Railway strike if necessary, after both CP and the union rejected a proposal for voluntary arbitration by the government-appointed negotiator on Sunday. Raitt says she is "extremely disappointed." more »
- Syrian regime denies role in Houla massacre
- The UN Security Council condemned the Syrian regime at an emergency meeting Sunday, holding president Bashar al-Assad's military responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people, dozens of whom were children younger than 10 years old. more »
- Ryder Hesjedal wins prestigious Giro d'Italia
- Victoria, B.C., native Ryder Hesjedal has become the first Canadian to win one of the cycling world's three Grand Tour events, wrapping up the 2012 Giro d'Italia with an excellent performance in the final stage in Milan. more »
- Neighbour may have helped find missing kids in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children who had been missing for nearly four years were found in Mexico after a man raised concerns about his neighbour, according to a private investigator. more »
- B.C. NDP calls for unity in fighting coast guard closure
- Surrey RCMP seek hit-run driver
- B.C. man who scaled Everest returns home
- Fort Langley restaurant damaged in fire
- Passengers' families sue for fatal B.C. plane crash
- B.C. Coast Guard Auxiliary gets new name
- Tsunami motorcycle heading to Harley museum
- Psych ward escapes worry neighbours
- Gang forum honours Surrey 6 victim
