More than seven months after a violent home invasion in South Vancouver, police are releasing photos of a suspect and asking for the public’s help in identifying the man.
Police say a group of five suspects wearing masks and hoodies—two of whom were carrying guns—forced their way into a home near Ontario Street and 48th Avenue around 9 p.m. on Nov. 30.
“Investigators … believe this was a planned and targeted robbery,” said Sgt. Jason Robillard with the Vancouver police, who called the attack “brazen.”
Police say once the suspects were inside, they tied up and assaulted the homeowners, a 56-year-old man and his 35-year-old wife, while their toddler slept upstairs.
The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while his wife suffered minor injuries. Their child was unharmed.
The three photos of the suspect show a man with dark facial hair, wearing a gold jacket with the hood pulled up, ordering food at a Vancouver restaurant.
CTV News has learned the photos came from surveillance video at a pizza place in downtown Vancouver.
Staff at the restaurant told CTV News they remembered Vancouver police looking through their security system at least twice in December.
One employee said she recalled police had been looking closely at more than one person.
When asked about the motive, or why investigators waited over seven months before releasing the photo of the suspect, police admitted they’re holding back information from the public, including details only the attackers might know.
“I can tell you [investigators] have put a lot of the pieces together, but we still need your help,” said the VPD’s Robillard.
Police wouldn’t specify what had been stolen from the home or if the suspects and the victims knew each other.
Anyone with information on the home invasion or who can identify the man in the photos is asked to call Vancouver police at 604-717-2541. To remain anonymous, call 1-800-222-8477.
