April 4, 2018

Transit Police Asking for the Public’s Help in Identifying Violent Assault Suspects

New Westminster – Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man and a woman who are suspects in an alleged violent assault on a 61 year old woman.

On March 20, 2018, at approximately 6:30 pm, a woman boarded the 96B bus at Surrey Central SkyTrain Station. As she reached the middle of the bus, a second woman boarded through the middle doors of the bus and took a nearby window seat. As the first woman sat down beside her in the aisle seat, an argument ensued as the second woman said she was saving the seat for her husband, who was travelling with her. She allegedly used her hip and shoulder to force the first woman off the seat and onto the floor. The husband sat down in the seat as the victim got up and sat behind the couple.

The victim attempted to take a picture of the pair with her cellphone, drawing their attention. The female suspect allegedly grabbed the cellphone from the victim’s hands, a struggle ensued and she threw the phone on the floor. She then allegedly grabbed the victim by the hair and pulled her entire body over the back of the seat, striking her head and chest on the metal handrail repeatedly while threatening to kill her. The husband separated the two women and allegedly grabbed the victim’s phone from another passenger who had picked it up off the floor.

As the two suspects got off the bus at King George Boulevard and 88th Avenue, the victim tried to follow them to retrieve her phone but the man threw the phone on the ground. The suspect couple left, walking into the Bear Creek Business Plaza. Police were called.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police attended and initiated an investigation. The victim, a 61 year old Burnaby woman, was taken to hospital by ambulance where she was treated for a broken arm, a cracked sternum and minor head trauma. She remains extremely traumatized.

The suspects are described as follows:

South Asian female, 30 to 35 years, 5’6” tall, medium build, long black hair in a messy ponytail, bad teeth, wearing a purple/maroon jacket with fur trimmed hood, patterned leggings, purple socks and black shoes.
South Asian male, 30 to 35 years, 5’10” tall, short dark hair, beard and moustache, wearing an olive green hoodie with a light circle shaped logo on the chest and a bright coloured hood lining, black shorts, black shoes and carrying a red “good Life Fitness” duffle bag.

Anyone who recognizes these suspects or has any information about this incident is asked to call the Metro Vancouver Transit Police tip-line at 604-516-7419 and refer to file #18-5346 or text us at 87 77 77.

Text us directly and discreetly at 87 77 77 or call us at 604-515-8300. See Something, Say Something!