West Vancouver police are seeking two suspects who they say broke into a British Properties home early Tuesday morning and assaulted a resident with bear spray.
Police received the 911 call at 7:17 a.m. from a man on the 2500 block of Westhill Drive who awoke to find two intruders in his bedroom. He attempted to confront the suspects but they blasted him with bear spray and fled, said Const. Kevin Goodmurphy, West Vancouver police spokesman.
“At this point, we have nothing to suggest that this person was targeted,” Goodmurphy said. “I think it was more of a surprise, it seems, for everyone involved.”
Partly incapacitated by the pepper spray, the 52-year-old victim tried to follow the suspects, who got away with his wallet, $1,500 cash, and a laptop.
What he could see was that the suspects took off in a black Chevrolet SUV, heading north on Westhill.
Police set up a containment effort, funnelling traffic into just one lane at key pinch points on Highway 1 and Marine Drive in hopes of spotting the vehicle, but had no luck, Goodmurphy said.
Investigators are now seeking surveillance images from the neighbourhood and are asking anyone who may have dashcam footage to come forward.
“If anybody has anything, we’d like to see,” Goodmurphy said.
If caught, the suspects would likely face charges of breaking and entering and assault with a weapon, Goodmurphy said.
Anyone with information about the break-in and assault is asked to call 604-925-7300 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
