Caught on camera: Stranger chases shopper with rod in Vancouver
Police are calling YouTube video of a man who appears to threaten a stranger with some sort of weapon in downtown Vancouver “very concerning."
The recording, which was posted online Monday, shows the man aimlessly hitting random objects with a rod on Burrard Street. He is then seen approaching a shopper, pointing the rod at the person’s face, then chasing the shopper away.
“Thankfully the person was able to get away before anyone was hurt,” said Const. Tania Visintin of the Vancouver Police Department.
Police estimate four assaults occur on average every day in Vancouver, but cautioned those numbers might be higher because many crimes go unreported.
“Statistics might say one thing, but what is actually going on says another,” added Visintin.
Many incidents are posted on social media to warn others, but authorities aren’t always called. Some might feel the crime isn’t serious enough to bother police.
“We're saying the opposite. We want people to call us,” insisted Visintin. “If you witnessed a crime, if you see a crime, please call us.”
The final parts of the video show the man approaching someone else from behind with the rod, before the bystander leaves.
He is then seen putting on his mask before boarding a bus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest finally got down to musical business Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.