Nov 15 - VicPD deems daytime downtown mugging 'alarming'

Good morning !

It’s not new to hear people say they don’t feel safe going downtown at night.

The violent mugging of a 59-year-old woman at high noon—one that police call ‘alarming’—isn’t going to help the situation.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 4.5 minutes

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NEWS

VicPD seeks witnesses after ‘alarming’ daytime downtown mugging

VicPD is looking for the public’s assistance following a particularly violent attack that occurred downtown last week—in broad daylight. 

Just before noon last Wednesday, a 59-year-old woman was walking toward her vehicle on Douglas, between Chatham and Discovery, when a man came up to her from behind and grabbed her purse.

The woman was pulled to the ground and dragged a short distance before the man got full possession of the purse and took off, according to a VicPD news release.

Bystanders tended to the woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries to her head, knees, and wrist, VicPD said.

“The daytime nature of this incident is alarming and can threaten our collective sense of security,” VicPD spokesperson Griffen Hohl told Capital Daily in an email.

The suspect was last seen getting on a BC Transit bus, and is described as being approximately 40 years old, between six-feet and six-feet-three-inches tall with a medium build, partially balding red-brown hair, and a large beard.

“Although we don’t have specific robbery statistics available at this moment, I can say that random, violent robberies where the victim and suspect are not known to each other are certainly not common,” Hohl said.

If you witnessed the attack, or if you recognize the suspect from the above photo, call VicPD at (250) 995-7654 extension 1. 

To report what you know anonymously, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit a tip online to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Overnight closures near the Blue Bridge this week. Today-Friday. 7pm-7am for parts of Store and Pandora. [Victoria construction map]

Missing Man may be in Victoria.

NEWS

Ditidaht First Nation to receive Hansen Foundation funding

According to the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS), the number of Indigenous Peoples who experience a disability is disproportionately higher than that of other Canadians.

The BCANDS says 20% of Canadians have or will have a disability, whereas on average, 30-35% of Indigenous Peoples will experience a physical impairment. 

As part of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, the Rick Hansen Foundation has announced the Ditidaht First Nation is one of two Indigenous communities that will receive $82,500 to improve access and inclusion for people of all ages and abilities through the Port Alberni wheelchair athlete foundation’s accessibility grants program.

Read Sidney Coles’ story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐻 Photo: See a black bear fishing in Campbell River.

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🗞️ In Other News

Correction: Laurel Collins is a Victoria MP not MLA, as identified in yesterday’s newsletter. Capital Daily regrets the error.

Suspect arrested in Westshore flashings
RCMP allege a local man, 33, is the culprit behind indecent exposures on the Galloping Goose dating back to June. The suspect faces 16 charges and must appear in court next Feb. [West Shore RCMP]

Parents petition for changes at Cook-Quadra intersection
They say drivers don’t slow down or even stop sometimes at the intersection, which is right by a school. Saanich council says the situation is on the transportation committee’s radar. [Victoria News]

100,000+ pink salmon returning to Big Qualicum River 
It’s a 100-fold increase from some pre-2010 years, and nearly 50% more than the previous modern high of 70K. The pinks don’t get the breeding programs that help more at-risk types of salmon—those seem to be helping Coho and Chinook, but not chum. [Nanaimo News Now]

Cowichan Lake water experts want new weir 
After a summer of dying fish and little rain, pressure is mounting on the province to pony up a few million bucks to replace the aging weir with something that will hold back more water. The Cowichan Watershed Board says this is about drinking water, fish—and reconciliation. [The Discourse]

Copying Tofino? Tourists may have to pay to park in Ucluelet
Council is floating the idea to offset the costs of impending capital projects, such as a water treatment facility, the replacement of aging infrastructure and a fire apparatus, bylaws enforcement and park and trail maintenance. [Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News]

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

A recipe for tragedy

Pacific Opera Victoria presents a delicious journey into the true story of playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, Feb. 21-27 at the Royal Theatre. Golijov’s one-act opera Ainadamar is a flamenco-extravaganza exploring Lorca's life through the eyes, and voice, of his muse – Catalan actress Margarita Xirgu.

Tickets start at $30.

🗓️ Things to do

Saanich Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar & Craft Fair. Mary Winspear Centre. Saturday. 9am-2pm. [Info]

Tom Cochrane: The Canadian rocker will perform in Victoria—one of five Island shows. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

Hayden: The Canadian indie star will perform his latest work at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

Sip & Shop: Grab a cocktail and find some holiday goodies at this Christmas market at the Bard and Banker. Today. 4pm. [Info]

Ben Bankas: The popular comedian will perform his standup at Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Greg Martel update: Accused fraudster accused of bullying, too. [Capital Daily exclusive] 

Victoria band up for a Grammy: A face-off against heavy rock’s heavy hitters is just the latest milestone for local married couple’s metal band. [Tuesday] 

A is for Asteroids: An asteroid primer as two locals have moon rocks named after them. [Capital Daily]

Parksville wolf-dog now dubbed WD-40
That’s because he keeps giving authorities the slip when they try to catch it. It’s been two months now, since the 68-kilogram animal was abandoned, and it just isn’t falling for any human tricks. [CP/Vancouver Sun]

Man charged in Port Alberni stabbing death
An altercation led to the fatal stabbing in an apartment building on Argyle Street Oct. 20. Dylan Hamilton-George, 30, is charged with possession of a weapon, and is scheduled to appear in court today. [CTV]

That’s it!

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