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Man charged in random New Year’s Eve machete attack in Vancouver

Buildings and stores including the Vogue theatre light up Granville Street at dusk in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia on August 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Don Denton

A man is facing six charges in connection with a random machete attack in downtown Vancouver on New Year’s Eve.

Cruz Thomas Joseph, 33, is accused of two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and robbery.

Around 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2020, the Vancouver Police Department said officers responded to a report of a serious and unprovoked assault near Granville and Helmcken streets.

Click to play video: 'Man charged in two NYE machete attacks in Vancouver'
Man charged in two NYE machete attacks in Vancouver
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The suspect, according to Const. Tania Visintin, walked up to a stranger and “slashed the victim in the face with a machete.”

Click to play video: 'Man seen walking around East Vancouver with machete charged'
Man seen walking around East Vancouver with machete charged

The victim was taken to hospital with what police call non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested.

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On Jan. 1, Joseph was remanded in custody for a court appearance on Jan. 5.

Joseph is also charged with possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats in relation to a separate incident in Vancouver on Oct. 16, 2020.

He is due in court on the earlier charges on Jan. 13.

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