VANCOUVER — Vancouver police are crediting three men and a community watch group for saving a woman from a knife attack, then helping with an arrest in east Vancouver on Saturday night.
Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said that at 9 p.m., a 23-year-old woman was leaving a Mount Pleasant store after finishing work for the day when she was grabbed from behind by a man who was carrying a knife and had his face concealed.
“The suspect threatened to stab her and, as she called out for help, the suspect pulled her into a nearby lane,” Addison said.
A 29-year-old man who was passing by heard the woman scream and saw her struggling with the suspect.
“He immediately flagged over two men in a passing car, and together the three Good Samaritans began yelling at the suspect until he released the victim and fled,” he said.
Shortly afterwards, more than 30 police officers flooded the scene, including members of the Vancouver police dog unit.
From crime-scene interviews, police were able to identify a suspect, a man who frequented the area.
Vancouver police crime watch volunteers spotted a suspicious vehicle at around 10:30 p.m. — near South Memorial Park, at Ross Street and East 43rd Avenue — and the suspect was located nearby.
Addison said a 59-year-old man remains in custody. No charges have been laid and the victim is recovering after being treated in hospital for minor wounds.
