By Canadian Press

Man arrested for robbing blind, homeless man in Vancouver, police say

Feb 21, 2024 | 1:40 PM

VANCOUVER — Police in Vancouver say a 37-year-old man has been charged over accusations he robbed a blind, homeless man of his cane earlier this week.

They say the victim is a 40-year-old newcomer to Canada who is legally blind and has been sleeping in shelters for the past few weeks.

Police say the man typically walks around the city’s West End neighbourhood during the day when the shelters are closed, and on Tuesday a stranger walked by and pulled the man’s cane from his hand.

They say a man and two women in their twenties were passing by in a car and witnessed the theft. 

The onlookers confronted the suspect and followed him until officers arrived to make the arrest.

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Police say the cane was returned to the blind man and the alleged thief, whose motive remains unknown, was arrested for robbery. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press