'Cruel offence': Suspect charged after allegedly stealing cane from blind, homeless man in Vancouver
![Blind person using cane This stoke image shows a person who is blind using a cane. (Credit: Shutterstock)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/2/21/blind-person-using-cane-1-6777930-1708549732747.jpg)
A man who allegedly robbed a blind, homeless man of his cane in Vancouver's West End has been arrested and charged thanks to the help of Good Samaritans, according to authorities.
The victim – who is legally blind and a newcomer to Canada – spends his days walking around the West End when the city's shelters are closed, according to the Vancouver Police Department. He was standing near Davie and Thurlow streets around 3:45 p.m. when a stranger grabbed his cane out of his hands.
"The victim tried to hold on, but was overpowered and was left stranded at the intersection after the suspect walked away with the cane," spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison wrote in a news release Wednesday.
Police say that, thankfully, three people who witnessed the incident intervened.
"While they could have chosen to drive on, they instead did the right thing and helped us make an arrest in this cruel offence,” spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said, adding that the witnesses "stopped and confronted" the suspect who police arrested "moments later."
The cane was returned to the victim and the suspect, 37-year-old Justin Jeremy Heron has been charged with one count of robbery.
"The motive for the robbery is not known," the statement from police concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
BREAKING Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick among most overworked provinces in Canada, study finds
A study says Prince Edward Island is the second most overworked province in Canada based on average weekly hours worked, while New Brunswick falls in third.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
OPINION Prince Harry: Press intrusion and the family rift explored in new doc
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again found himself at the centre of media attention following his recent interview as part of 'Tabloids on Trial,' an ITV documentary on phone hacking and tabloid intrusion.