Police release video of bear-spray robbery in downtown Vancouver
Vancouver police have released surveillance video showing the robbery involving bear spray that occurred in a downtown boutique last week.
The 50-second clip, shared by the Vancouver Police Department on Friday, shows a woman wearing all black and a surgical mask entering Once More Luxury Boutique at the corner of Howe and Helmcken streets.
She browses for a while and is approached by an employee. Around the same time, a man enters the store, and the woman begins to make her way toward the exit.
Vancouver police say the man bear-sprayed workers in the face before grabbing clothes off a rack and leaving along with the woman. The actual attack appears to happen just off screen in the video.
The VPD says its investigators believe the man and the woman worked together to commit the robbery, which happened shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.
“It’s likely these suspects live nearby or frequent the area, and we’re hoping someone who recognizes them will call police so we can begin to hold them accountable,” said VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison, in a news release.
Police provided photos of both suspects, and estimated that the woman is in her 30s. They did not estimate the age of the male suspect.
“Everything about this crime was premeditated, and we know from experience that criminals like this often strike multiple times before they get caught,” Addison said, adding that stolen property is often resold "for pennies on the dollar" online and in the Downtown Eastside.
“Tips from the public have helped solve a number of violent assaults this year in Vancouver, and we’re again asking the public to assist," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 604-717-4034.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.