One man is in custody following the attempted abduction of an infant from a store on Commercial Drive.
Around 11:45 a.m., a man entered Donald’s Market located on Commercial Drive near Grandview Highway and attempted to forcefully take an infant from a stroller. The woman with the child struggled with the man to make him let go of the baby. A customer came to the woman’s aid, assisting her in freeing the child from the man’s grip.
The child was not injured.
The man left the store and made his way north on Commercial Drive.
Moments later, the man approached the mother of a second infant in a stroller on the west side of Commercial Drive. He began to verbally threaten the nine-month-old baby, before being separated by concerned citizens.
When police arrived, the man was taken into custody without incident. The 61-year-old Vancouver man is facing charges of attempted kidnapping, assault and uttering threats.
Investigators are attempting to establish a motive for the offences. Detectives do believe that the suspect’s mental health may have played a role.
Police are appealing for the woman from the attempted abduction in the market to come forward, as she had left the store before officers were able to speak with her.
Police are also trying to piece together the events leading up to the attempted abduction and are looking for witnesses who may have seen the man in the area.
Anyone with information about this incident, who has not yet spoken to police, is asked to call the VPD Major Crime Section at (604) 717-2541.
