Non-Emergency 604-525-5411

Emergency 9-1-1

Witnesses asked to come forward following bear spray assault of elderly man

New Westminster – On November 5th, New Westminster Police Department officers were dispatched to the intersection of 8th Street and Queens Avenue after a witnesses saw an elderly man assaulted by a suspect using bear spray. Police searched the area for someone matching the suspect description, and provided aid to the victim. Despite searches of the surrounding area, no one matching the suspect description could be found.

Police are now canvassing the area for CCTV footage and asking anyone who witnessed this assault and has not yet spoken to police to reach out to the New Westminster Police Department to share what they saw.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, approximately 40 years old, with a medium build, carrying a backpack and wearing a blue jacket. The suspect is described as walking with a hunch.

“We believe the suspect and the victim are not known to one another,” stated Sergeant Justine Thom. “Given the time of day and the location of this incident, we believe there were witnesses who have not yet come forward.”

Anybody who has any further information regarding these incidents should contact New Westminster Police Department by calling 604-525-5411.

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CONTACT PERSON: Hailey Finnigan

EMAIL: communications@nwpolice.org

FILE: 22-16799