Police are praising a trio of Good Samaritans after helping a blind, homeless man get his cane back after having it robbed in downtown Vancouver.
At around 3:45pm yesterday afternoon, a 40-year-old newcomer to Canada, who is legally blind, was standing near Davie Street and Thurlow Street when a suspect snatched his cane from his hands.
Police say the 40-year-old has been sleeping in shelters for weeks, but “typically walks around in the West End during the day when the shelters are closed”. The victim relies on a white cane to navigate the city and was “left stranded at the intersection” as the suspect walked away.
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“Three Good Samaritans – a man and two women in their twenties – were passing by in a car when they saw the robbery happen,” adds Sergeant Addison. “They stopped, confronted the suspect, and followed him until our officers arrived moments later and made the arrest at a bus stop near Davie and Burrard Street.”
“We depend every day on the caring citizens of Vancouver to help us keep our neighbourhoods safe, and we’re extremely thankful to these kind strangers who stepped up to help us right a wrong,” added Sergeant Steve Addison.
“While they could have chosen to drive on, they instead did the right thing and helped us make an arrest in this cruel offence.”
Officers were able to locate the cane and give it back to the victim.
Justin Jeremy Heron, 37, is charged with one count of robbery. No motive has been determined.