The North Vancouver RCMP is asking for the public’s help after an alleged assault and attempted robbery on Saturday.
Police say officers responded to reports of a robbery outside Solace Pharmacy on Marine Drive around 2:50 p.m. on Sept. 7.
Witnesses told police that an unidentified man attempted to steal items from a woman’s handbag that was hanging from her mobility scooter while she was stopped outside the pharmacy. Police say an altercation ensued and both the robbery victim and another person who intervened were assaulted by the suspect.
“It is also alleged that the suspect stated he had a gun, though no firearm was brandished or observed during the incident,” Mounties said.
They say no items were stolen and only one victim was sent to hospital with minor injuries.
Const. Mansoor Sahak says the RCMP is thankful that the incident didn’t escalate further.
“Investigators are releasing a still image of the suspect caught on CCTV in hopes that someone will recognize him and call the police,” said Sahak.
In the photo, the suspect can be seen wearing a grey hoodie, beige shorts, high-top sneakers and a dark backpack.
The North Vancouver RCMP is asking for the public’s help after an alleged assault and attempted robbery on Saturday. (Courtesy North Vancouver RCMP)
Uday Jain, a pharmacist and manager at Solace Pharmacy and his wife, Nikita Jain, a physiotherapist at Solace Pharmacy say they were trying to help the victim of the robbery, but Uday also got attacked.
“He was punching me, and I was trying to avoid his punches,” he said.
Jain says the suspect did not stop trying to steal the victim’s bags off of her scooter even when both Uday and Nikita were actively asking him not to steal.
Uday tells CityNews Vancouver that he’s afraid the suspect will attack them again.
“This has happened today and it could happen tomorrow as well,” Jain said. “The sad part is that the other person knows where the pharmacy is. He knows us.”
Nikita says when the suspect threatened to have a gun, both she and Uday were scared but she continued to dial 911.
“It was quite a dramatic two to three minutes. It was quite shocking that he was more keen on hitting us rather than running away,” she said.
“I’m really thankful to God that he did not have any kind of weapons because he would have really harmed anyone of us.”
The North Vancouver RCMP is asking you to call 604-985-1311 and quote file 2024-18369 if you witnessed or have footage of the incident or can help identify the suspect.