Cycling In Vancouver

Bike route planner with elevation plotter - Map of bike paths, public washrooms, Mobi bikes, water fountains, bike racks

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[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: A 35-year-old woman has been charged with robbery after a brazen distraction theft in East Vancouver on Friday.

A 72-year-old woman was outside her home near the intersection of Commercial Street and 41st Avenue at about 9:30 a.m. June 12 when a woman, and two other people, approached her and allegedly attempted a distraction theft by offering a gift in exchange for her necklace. When the suspicious senior recognized the ruse, a female suspect allegedly yanked the victim’s necklace off and fled with the two other people in a rental vehicle.

The victim called 9-1-1 to report the theft and a vehicle description went out to patrol officers.
Shortly after, at 12th and Main, a sharp-eyed VPD officer located and stopped the vehicle.

Two women and one man were found in the in the rental vehicle and police seized many pieces of jewelry and cash.

Amalia Stoian of Ontario has been charged with one count of robbery.

“We know organized theft rings are behind many of these types of incidents,” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson. “Friday’s arrest is excellent news, but also a reminder for the community to be alert and to help seniors be aware of how they can protect themselves.”

Distraction theft prevention tips include:

Conceal Valuables: Keep jewelry and other valuables hidden underneath your clothing when out in public or working in your yard.

Protect Your Space: Maintain physical boundaries. Do not let strangers approach you or enter your personal space, even if they seem friendly or are offering gifts.

Draw Attention: If you feel you are being targeted, or feel unsafe, make noise, yell, and attract the attention of bystanders.

[Deputy Chief Alison Laurin @DeputyLaurin]

VPD officers responded to over 650 calls yesterday. In addition to the home invasion in the 3600 block of Commercial Street, Patrol members attended two sensitive sudden deaths, three sexual assaults, a harassment incident, a lost child report, and another violent assault within a residence.
A chronic property crime offender was arrested for breaching his house arrest conditions, and a high-risk missing person was promptly located.
The dedication and hard work of these officers continues to make a meaningful difference in maintaining public safety.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: The Vancouver Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person, or persons, responsible for deliberately damaging over a dozen vehicles in South Vancouver over the past week. The incidents occurred between Fraser Street and Victoria Drive, between E 45th and E 61st Avenues.

Investigators believe these tire slashings and keying incidents may be related.

“We believe there are possibly more victims who have had their vehicles damaged and may not have reported it to police. We recommend anyone with CCTV or eyewitnesses to contact our investigators,” says Constable Megan Lui.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Vancouver Police at 604-717-3321.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews Vancouver Police have seized more than $79,000 of illicit drugs and cash in a targeted investigation in the Downtown Eastside.

VPD patrol officers initiated “Project Bingo” in December 2025 after observing suspicious activity at an SRO near East Hastings and Princess Avenue. After a six-month investigation and extensive evidence gathering, officers executed a search warrant in May 2026.

Inside the SRO, they located and seized:

287 grams of fentanyl
107 grams of cocaine
549 grams of crystal methamphetamine
303 dilaudid pills
86 cartons of illegal cigarettes totaling 17,200 cigarettes

The total combined street value of the drugs is $65,922.

The cigarettes are valued at $3,300.

Officers also located and seized $10,338.90 in cash.

Total value of all items is $79,560.90

VPD officers also seized one handgun, ammunition, body armour, a prohibited cross bow, swords, and multiple other weapons.

“Project Bingo serves as another significant example of our officers’ unwavering commitment and perseverance in disrupting drug trafficking and addressing violence in the community.” says Inspector Willoughby

A 61-year-old man from Vancouver, was arrested, interviewed, and released pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing and multiple charges will be recommended to Crown Counsel.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: A 37-year-old man has been charged in relation to an alleged unprovoked assault on a restaurant worker.

Around 11:30 a.m. on June 2, a concerned citizen reported a man yelling profanities in the Mount Pleasant area. Officers arrived and observed the man throw an object at a vehicle. When they attempted to arrest him, he ran away. After a brief chase, officers located him in a nearby bush and took him into custody.

While the man was in custody, police learned of an earlier report nearby of a restaurant worker who suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was allegedly assaulted. The suspect description matched the man in custody.

“The suspect has recently arrived in Vancouver, and has been the subject of over five calls to police this week,” says Constable Megan Lui. “The assault appears to have been unprovoked, and the motive is unknown at this time.”

Victor Coscarella, 37, originally from Ontario, has been charged with:

➡️Assault causing bodily harm
➡️Obstructing a peace officer

Coscarella remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: Charges have been recommended after VPD arrested a man for allegedly threatening a convenience store worker with a knife.

On May 29, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to a report of a shoplifter threatening someone with a knife outside a downtown convenience store on Granville and Drake. The suspect was allegedly confronted outside the store by the worker for allegedly stealing a box of cookies and then threatening to vandalize his car. When the worker attempted to intervene, the suspect reportedly brandished a knife. Police located the suspect a block away and arrested him without incident.

Christopher Chiappe, 47, has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats to damage property, and theft under $5000. He was transported to jail and released with conditions with a court hearing scheduled for June 8.

Chiappe was also arrested for assault at an East Vancouver shelter on May 25 for allegedly kicking a man repeatedly in the head.

[Deputy Chief Alison Laurin @DeputyLaurin]

District 5 officers were just looking for a parking spot when they found this gun too.  They watched an intoxicated driver approach a rental vehicle parked in the Police Only Parking in the 300 Abbott.  She was unlicensed and not listed on the rental agreement.  Before returning the vehicle to the company, officers located this gun under the hood.  Nice of her to bring it directly to our new District 5 office.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: The senior citizen who was struck by the vehicle in the West End vehicle-ramming incident on May 15 has died on May 24.

Vancouver Police have notified Crown counsel and are in the process of submitting evidence for consideration of additional charges.

Tadd Bali, 34, is currently charged with four counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. He remains in custody.

[Deputy Chief Alison Laurin @DeputyLaurin]

In one week in May, VPD Metro Team 2 made 8 arrests, including a sex offender with a Canada-wide warrant, and seized 8 weapons. The most unique weapon was this makeshift taser manufactured out of a Naloxone kit.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police have taken a dangerous offender with a history of violence back into custody after arresting him on May 21 in the Downtown Eastside.

Tyler Gordon Strathdee, 37, was most recently the subject of a public warning by Vancouver Police in November 2025, when he obtained statutory release and began residing at a halfway house in Vancouver.

Vancouver Police believe Strathdee poses a significant risk of harm and is a high risk to commit further physical and sexual violence. On Thursday afternoon VPD’s District 5 Officers arrested Strathdee on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching his parole conditions.

Strathdee was taken into custody at his Downtown Eastside halfway house and remains in custody.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: A high-risk sex offender who has been monitored by the Vancouver Police Department since 2021 has been designated as a dangerous offender by the B.C. Provincial Court.

John Ambrose Seward was charged and held in custody for assaulting a woman in East Vancouver in October of 2022. At the time, he was serving a 10-year long-term supervision order, reporting to Vancouver Parole in the community.

In 2024, Seward was convicted of the 2022 assault, and the B.C. Prosecution Service began a dangerous offender application while he was in custody. Over 18 months, Crown counsel spent many hours presenting evidence to the Court to support the dangerous offender designation, which can only be imposed when there is no reasonable expectation that the offender’s risk will be manageable in the community. On April 30, 2026, the Court supported their application, designated Seward a dangerous offender, and imposed an indeterminate sentence.

“Protecting communities from high-risk sexual and violent offenders is a priority for the Vancouver Police Department and the BC Prosecution Service,” says VPD Constable Megan Lui. “One way to do this is by making dangerous offender applications in appropriate cases, and the investigation and prosecution of Seward was one of those cases.”

John Ambrose Seward will remain in jail with an indeterminate sentence.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: A senior citizen was critically injured and two Vancouver Police Department officers were taken to hospital with injuries after a male driver allegedly rammed several vehicles, sped through a section of Nelson Park, and intentionally drove along a sidewalk in Vancouver's West End Friday morning.

The senior remains in hospital in critical condition. The VPD officers are also in hospital being treated for their injuries. The incident was reported at about 5:30 a.m. when a vehicle was observed driving erratically in the area of Comox and Broughton streets, striking numerous objects, including the Nelson Park dog area.

Several witnesses nearby had to scramble to get out of the way of the suspect's vehicle. The senior, who was riding a motorized scooter at the time, was unable to evade the driver. The suspect was eventually stopped after he rammed a police vehicle responding to the scene, destroying the cruiser and flipping the suspect's vehicle.

He was trapped inside the vehicle and arrested near Comox and Bute streets. Multiple ambulances responded along with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services who were able to free the man from the wreckage.

Mental health and drug use issues are possible factors in this incident.

The Major Crimes Unit is investigating. The motive remains unclear at this time.

The VPD will update the public as more information becomes available. Comox Street between Thurlow and Bute remains closed to the public for the time being.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

VPD officers tracked down a big, furry suspect last Tuesday around 1:00 a.m. after the VPD received 911 calls about a black bear wandering around Commercial Drive and Grandview Highway. Patrol officers located the bear, and the Emergency Response Team assisted when the bear was getting a little too close to people nearby. The BC Conservation Officer Service was called, while VPD officers contained the bear as it moved toward Hastings and Commercial.

When the Conservation Service arrived, the bear was tranquilized and taken to North Vancouver. Nobody was hurt, the bear slept it off, and was released without charges.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: Three men have been charged in relation to alleged Downtown Eastside drug trafficking operations after two investigations by the Vancouver Police Department in the same building.

The VPD’s District 5 project team began the first investigation, Project “Bouquet” last year, resulting in the seizure of weapons, cash, and kilograms of drugs from the building in the 300-block of East Hastings Street.

“The District 5 project team used a variety of investigative techniques over three months and obtained search warrants.” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson with the Vancouver Police Department. “The work put in by the officers directly contributes to the safety of the neighbourhood.”

The search warrants were executed in July 2025, and charges were approved by Crown counsel in March.

James William Clapp is charged with trafficking a controlled substance. Roy Alvin Haynes is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a weapon. Jose Inacio is charged with unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Building on the success of Project “Bouquet,” the District 5 project team then moved on to Project “Bouquet Deux” when it became clear that alleged trafficking operations were ongoing in the building.

In March of this year, two search warrants were executed at separate residences in the building. Officers seized more than three kilograms of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine. They also seized $12,000 in cash, several weapons including a taser and crossbow, as well as two bulletproof vests.

District 5 members arrested several people in relation to Project “Bouquet Deux,” and the investigation is ongoing. Charges have not yet been approved, and no suspect names are being released.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VanTraffic: Granville Street Bridge closed both ways due to an ongoing police incident. Please avoid the area and consider alternate routes.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: VPD officers arrested a man in the Downtown Eastside after he allegedly threatened a traffic control person in Burnaby with a knife.

On May 4, shortly after 1:00 p.m., Burnaby RCMP officers responded after a man allegedly held a knife to the throat of a flagger near Olive Avenue and Central Boulevard. The man was observed boarding a SkyTrain bound for downtown before police arrived. His description was broadcast to VPD officers shortly after the incident.

Approximately two hours later, Vancouver Police District Five officers observed a man closely matching the suspect’s description walking along East Hastings Street near Main Street. A hunting-style knife was recovered during a search following his arrest by VPD officers.

Surrey resident Derrick Whitebear, 42, was transported to Vancouver Jail before being turned over to Burnaby RCMP officers.

Whitebear has been charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation. He remains in custody until his next court hearing.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: A suspect in a Downtown Eastside homicide has now been formally charged.

The BC Prosecution Service laid a charge of second-degree murder charge against 27-year-old Braden Levine Ollenberger yesterday.

Ollenberger remains in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s fourth homicide of 2026 after a man succumbed to injuries sustained in an alleged stabbing near East Hastings and Columbia Street.

VPD officers responded to the area on Wednesday at 2:32 a.m. after witnesses called 9-1-1. The victim was transported to hospital where he later died.

The victim has been identified as 49-year-old James Andrew Slater.

A man and a woman have been arrested but no charges have been laid at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.

[Media Relations for Metro Vancouver Transit Police @MVTP_Media]

Possibly due to his outstanding warrants, the driver of this homemade go cart attempted to flee from police at an incredibly low speed. Luckily, his wheel got stuck in gravel, and an arrest was made, before any red shells or banana peels had to be deployed. #transitpolice

[Vancouver Police @VancouverPD]

#VanTraffic: Main Street is closed both ways between E 18th Avenue and E 20th Avenue due to a burst water main. Please avoid the area and consider alternate routes.