Here’s a roundup of crime news from around Metro Vancouver and B.C. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025
Police are searching for witnesses after a man was found on fire near Main Street SkyTrain on Sunday morning.
According to Vancouver police, the 40-year-old was spotted on fire by a driver around 2 a.m. Sunday outside Main Street-Science World station. The driver stopped to help put out the fire and call 911.
The man suffered burns to his upper body and face. He was treated at hospital, then discharged.
Police are reviewing security video and hope witnesses will come forward to help fill in details about how the fire started and whether it was criminal.
Anyone who was in the area or who may have dashboard camera footage of the area between 1:30 a.m. and 2:06 a.m. on Sunday are asked to contact investigators at 604-717-2541.
Suspect charged in random Christmas Day attacks
Police say a Vancouver man has been charged after two random attacks on Christmas Day and an arson several days later in North Vancouver.
Mounties said a random assault in the 100-block of Bewicke Avenue was reported at about 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 25. A 38-year-old woman was attacked after confronting a man who was damaging a parked car. The attacker took off before police arrived. The victim was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
About half an hour later, there was another call about a stranger assault at the Christmas market in the Shipyards at Lonsdale Avenue and Victory Ship Way. Investigators allege the same attacker punched a woman from behind and assaulted her son before fleeing. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Around 6 a.m. on Dec. 29, an arson took place in the 100-block of East Keith Road.
“It is alleged the same suspect responsible for the random assaults started a fire at the front door of a unit within an apartment building,” RCMP Const. Mansoor Sahak said in a statement on Monday.
The fire was put out before causing major damage but several people were displaced.
“We are still looking for more evidence,” said Sahak. “In particular, investigators are looking for witnesses and dashcam of the second assault that is alleged to have occurred on Christmas Day at the Shipyards Christmas Market at around 3:45 p.m.”
At about noon that day, a person was arrested in the 1900-block of Lonsdale, and was found to be allegedly breaching conditions of his release stemming from an incident in November 2023.
The B.C. Prosecution Service has charged Jeremy Lariviere with two counts of assault, assault causing bodily harm, four counts of mischief and arson.
Anyone with information is asked to call North Van RCMP at 604-985-1311 or Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477.
Home invaded in Quesnel
Police are trying to track down the people behind in a home invasion in Quesnel early Sunday.
At about 2:10 a.m. on Jan. 12, Quesnel RCMP responded to a home in the 300-block of Hoy Street. Two people had broken in, sprayed an occupant with bear spray and damaged property in the residence.
Police have identified two suspects, a 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman. Their names were not released.
Police said it was reported the man had a handgun on him during the break-in.
The woman was arrested outside a home in the 400-block of North Fraser Drive. A search warrant was issued but the second suspect wasn’t found inside.
RCMP Sgt. Clay Kronebusch said the woman has been released until a future court appearance, but the 26-year-old is still on the lam.