Suspect arrested after tow truck driver's window smashed in Vancouver parking lot dispute

Vancouver police have arrested and are holding asuspect in custody in connection with an incident caught onvideo Monday, showing what police describe as an "act of violence" against a tow truck driver.

The incident happened in theparking lot of a strip mallat 3490 Kingsway at around 11a.m., near Boundary Road between East Vancouver and Burnaby,according to Vancouver Police DepartmentConst. Tania Visintin.

"It was an act of violence. Anytime an act of violence occurs we are very concerned. You know it was in broad daylight. There were plenty of people around," said Visintin.

Video captured by awitnesses at the scene, shows the suspectstanding at the side of a tow truck with theDrake Towing company logo on the door, yelling at the driver to get out.

Hammer in hand

The suspectand the driver in thetruckcan be heard yelling at each other. Within seconds, thesuspect walks past the witness and can be heard saying, "I have the weapon, no problem."

When he returns he appears to have a hammer in hand, and approaches the driver's window and smashesit.

"What I do know is that it was a dispute over a parking space," said Visintin.

"I believe the suspect was not supposedto park in a certain spot in the parking lot. Therefore a tow truck was called andfrom there the incident escalated."

Suspect facing assault charges

4 years ago

Duration 2:08

Witness captures suspect smashing tow truck window with a hammer

CBC News spoke with someone who answered the phone at Drake Towing. That person saidthese kinds of violent incidents are a "one-off" and that this was the worst example he had seenin his 30-year career.

The suspect was arrested and taken to jail, Visintin said.

Charges including assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief, and possession of a dangerous weapon have been forwarded to the B.C. Crown Prosecution Service, though it's not clearif those charges have yet been laid.

"We're thankful that the police were called before anybody got hurt," said Visintin.