Canada - Stalker follows terrified woman for 40 minutes, Vancouver, 21 Mar 2021 *arrest*

[LadyL]

Victim videoe'd him and posted to her social media.

'I was walking as fast as I could': Woman describes being followed by stranger in Vancouver

Other than going to the police station to look at the photographs she hasn't left her home, she says.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/stalking-suspect-arrest-1.5958058

Wrong person arrested!

Vancouver stalking victim says ‘person of interest’ in custody is not man who followed her

 

[LadyL]

On Thursday, police said others had come forward after hearing Coutts’ story.

Vancouver stalking victim says ‘person of interest’ in custody is not man who followed her

he's carrying an across the body bag - not many men do that- photo at link - tip to identify?

Woman who filmed man following her in Vancouver says police arrested wrong person - Victoria News

 

[LadyL]

victim uploaded the video to her social media but I can't find her social media (hopefully she locked it down)
not sure if this is allowed - will alert mods on my post

this video is posted at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/stalking-suspect-arrest-1.5958058

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[asmi106082]

That video was scary. My heart was pounding. He got way too close to her for comfort! And then he was just standing there waiting for her when she stopped and sought refuge from strangers! Extremely bold. Also not very smart so that’s one good thing. This guy is definitely a predator. I hope he’s caught soon. MOO.

 

[LadyL]

some people say it looks like toward the end of the video that he pulls something - possibly a switchblade - out of his satchel

 

[Sillybilly]

@LadyL .. the video is fine to be linked. She is the victim in this situation and she has obviously posted it on social media and it is linked via MSM.

 

[Sillybilly]

Whoa, that video is scary and this dude needs to be caught. I'm so glad she got that all recorded.

I'm thinking he was possibly getting stimulated, anticipation and knowing that he was instilling fear.

At times, depending on camera angle, there is something dark between his right ear and the mask. IMO, looks like he possibly has a beard.

 

[LadyL]

Whoa, that video is scary and this dude needs to be caught. I'm so glad she got that all recorded.

I'm thinking he was possibly getting stimulated, anticipation and knowing that he was instilling fear.

At times, depending on camera angle, there is something dark between his right ear and the mask. IMO, looks like he possibly has a beard.

yes I saw that
I paused at 5:22 mark and it's clear but I couldn't figure out how to post that screenshot

 

[Hazelnutty]

Frightening!

 

[nao]

The guy did not take off when she sat with those folks. So probably some mental health issues going on with him. Moo. There is a big tent city a few blocks away. Big homeless and drug issues around down town always have to be aware and beware around there. Also some excellent cheap restaurants. Moo

 

[Filly]

When he takes that way bigger step to get closer to her I thought if she had a purse that's when he'd grab it or use a boxcutter to cut it off.

At the point there's I guess a charter bus in the street idling. There's a girl in I think a green sweater and he does a triple take. Almost like she knows him or recognizes him.

Just a guess.but I wondered is that bag around his neck a bag he already stole off someone? Wouldn't be smart but he don't seem right. Drugs? Mental health?

Odd I thought he took something out of his pocket and put it in the bag. Then all shifty with the hat. IMO that'd be drugs.

Thankfully she is safe. Not victim blaming and she was way calm. Scream your *** off. Run on that bus. In a store. Stop traffic. Which by the way where the heck is the traffic? I'm all for them pay bikes but they couldn't help her.

Very glad she recorded, but at times he could have stabbed her and there'd be recording.

Sooooo was.hoping one of them guys slammed him in the head with a skateboard, and they kicked his tail while waiting for cops.

 

[coffeeandacig]

Oh that poor girl.
What's sad, too is that only one young lady skateboarder went to confront him.

I remember that happening to me when I was a young woman in the big city. But, I handled the situation a bit differently.

Does Canada allow women to carry pepper spray or a knife or anything for self-defense?

 

[Filly]

Ohhhh she was food shopping? They watch everything even from outside. What ya bought and how ya paid. Is your head on a swivel or you're enjoying where ya live on a nice day?

Definitely as they pass bus he gives three look backs at girl at white gate. Appears to wave to her with hand in jacket.

Is this place in the middle of gentrification or am I jaded? Makes me so angry this lovely girl could have been murdered. Young I wouldn't have noticed. Probably chatted him up. NOW even if I could tell he was mentally ill I'd me so PO'D he was taking my.time up I'd scare him. I'd turn quick on my heels and go ape poo on him screaming my lungs out and stopping traffic.

Yelling FIRE! Call 911Fure!!!!!!!

 

[musicaljoke]

Oh that poor girl.
What's sad, too is that only one young lady skateboarder went to confront him.

I remember that happening to me when I was a young woman in the big city. But, I handled the situation a bit differently.

Does Canada allow women to carry pepper spray or a knife or anything for self-defense?

Using a knife or weapon for self defence in Canada is illegal.

The best self-defence isn’t always a good offence

How can women protect themselves if self-defence weapons are illegal?

 

[coffeeandacig]

Using a knife or weapon for self defence in Canada is illegal.

The best self-defence isn’t always a good offence

How can women protect themselves if self-defence weapons are illegal?

Thank you for posting that @musicaljoke! I knew they had strict gun laws, but I didn't know women were not allowed to carry pepper spray in their purse.

 

[coffeeandacig]

Ohhhh she was food shopping? They watch everything even from outside. What ya bought and how ya paid. Is your head on a swivel or you're enjoying where ya live on a nice day?

Definitely as they pass bus he gives three look backs at girl at white gate. Appears to wave to her with hand in jacket.

Is this place in the middle of gentrification or am I jaded? Makes me so angry this lovely girl could have been murdered. Young I wouldn't have noticed. Probably chatted him up. NOW even if I could tell he was mentally ill I'd me so PO'D he was taking my.time up I'd scare him. I'd turn quick on my heels and go ape poo on him screaming my lungs out and stopping traffic.

Yelling FIRE! Call 911Fure!!!!!!!

The thing is, even back in the day...No one will come to your "rescue". I was verbally assaulted on a train platform once. Big tough guy trying to intimidate me. Do you know what all the people standing around did? Nothing....
Never, ever believe that people will get involved. It's up to you to defend yourself.

 

[musicaljoke]

Thank you for posting that @musicaljoke! I knew they had strict gun laws, but I didn't know women were not allowed to carry pepper spray in their purse.

Actually, anyone can carry bear spray, but it's only to be used to defend oneself from a bear, not from a murderous villain. For that, we must survive by our wits, although the use of bear spray in a dire situation would not likely be condemned.

It surprised me to see how few people she encountered during the time she was recording him. She even walked by a huge construction site and never saw anyone that she could call out to. But thankfully, she finally found a group where she could find safety in numbers. She managed the situation in a manner that was way calmer than I would have been.

 

[coffeeandacig]

Actually, anyone can carry bear spray, but it's only to be used to defend oneself from a bear, not from a murderous villain. For that, we must survive by our wits, although the use of bear spray in a dire situation would not likely be condemned.

It surprised me to see how few people she encountered during the time she was recording him. She even walked by a huge construction site and never saw anyone that she could call out to. But thankfully, she finally found a group where she could find safety in numbers. She managed the situation in a manner that was way calmer than I would have been.

Yeah, those streets were empty! But I guess, not many people walking around during Covid.
Along with bear spray, I'm sure hairspray and a lighter wouldn't be bad for a woman to carry, too.

 

[musicaljoke]

Yeah, those streets were empty! But I guess, not many people walking around during Covid.
Along with bear spray, I'm sure hairspray and a lighter wouldn't be bad for a woman to carry, too.

Normally, Vancouver is a very safe city. In 2019 there were 10 homicides, which is about average over the years.

I think that this stalker had a mental problem. He looked disappointed when he was shooed away by the people on the bench. He didn't look ashamed, and he didn't try to run away and hide. There was something mentally wrong with that man, don't you think? I hope they find him.

Vancouver Crime Rate Numbers: Is This City Safe?

 

[zecats]

She did seem to pass by just enough people walking, biking and with dogs to likely keep him at bay for the duration, though he sure did get pretty darn close to her. I was a little surprised she didn't stop one of the passersby, though maybe she didn't think one person would be enough help. Did you notice several people walking by the other way did stop and turn to look as if they were suspicious of him too?

She must have been filming him with her phone held backwards. And she must have been able to see him in the video. How calm she remained. Glad she found some people to help her, though it is pretty amazing that he didn't run off at that point. I tend to think he was interested in robbing her with a snatch, grab and run. JMO