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'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/news/e9wcbxxi7h-xjaqf8f1su/1200_VANCOUVER_MACHETE__OM000589_thumbnail_1280x720.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
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'](https://i0.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/news/zan6o4tzos-pov9qu1nbq/MACHETE_thumbnail_1280x720.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
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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