Vancouver police are looking for a man wanted on a B.C.-wide warrant for an attack on a senior using bear spray in Chinatown this past May.
While out for his daily walk on the morning of May 20, the 87-year-old victim was standing at the bus stop near Pender and Columbia streets when a stranger came up to him, made racist comments, then bear-sprayed him in the face, police said.
“This is an 87-year-old Asian man that was out for his daily walk in Chinatown, goes to his favourite restaurant, goes to his favourite coffee shop, sits and reads the paper,” Vancouver Police Department’s Deputy Chief Const. Howard Chow told Global News.
“For no reason, he was pepper sprayed and a number of offensive hate anti-Asian hate comments were made against him.”
After the incident, the victim’s daughter expressed her frustration on Twitter, saying this was the second attack on her father since September when he was pushed to the ground by a woman who didn’t like him speaking Chinese.
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In the pepper spray incident, the suspect fled the scene.
Patrick James Duncan, 44, was arrested a few days later.
This week, the BC Prosecution Services approved one count of assault with a weapon against Duncan, police confirmed.
A B.C.-wide warrant has now been issued for him.
Duncan’s criminal record in B.C. dates back to 2002 and includes 49 theft convictions, 14 breaches of probation, two assaults and one conviction for escaping lawful custody.
He is also charged with theft, uttering threats and possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes in connection with an incident on July 6 when he is accused of making threats against the loss prevention officer at a liquor store on Cambie Street, police said.
They also said he had a knife in his possession.
Anyone who sees Duncan or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.