Vancouver police arrested a 40-year-old man in Burnaby last night for an alleged string of robberies and sexual offences.
According to police, at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night residents on West King Edward near Main Street reported a man lurking in their backyard. The man appeared to be looking into the resident’s home, but the suspect was scared away by the family dog before police arrived.
Officers were unable to locate the suspect, but were able to determine who the possible suspect was after speaking with several witnesses and searching through a number of police databases, according to a Vancouver police media release.
Later that night, at about 10:15 p.m. police received a report of another incident at Victoria Drive near South East Marine Drive, according to the release.
A 19-year-old woman was walking down the street when a man allegedly pulled a gun on her and attempted to rob her. He then allegedly exposed himself to the woman and threatened her to do the same. The young woman refused and the suspect was scared away by two witnesses, the release added.
A second similar incident was reported shortly after 10:30 p.m., this time on East 49th Avenue near Arlington Street.
According to police, a 44-year-old woman was walking along East 49th Avenue when a man allegedly ran up to her, pulled out a gun and stole her purse. After he had the woman’s purse, the suspect allegedly demanded the woman expose herself.
At this request, the victim became frightened, which in turn scared off the suspect, the release added.
A short while later the suspect was arrested at a motel in Burnaby after patrol officers located his vehicle. Officers arrested the suspect and he remains in custody at this time, according to Const. Brian Montague, spokesperson for the Vancouver Police Department.
Police seized a replica pistol and property believed to belong the suspect’s victim on East 49th Avenue.
Montague said the suspect, who is known to police, has only been living in the area for about five or six months and police believe he has no fixed address at this time.
Several charges have been recommended and police expect them to be approved sometime this afternoon (Friday), Montague added.
