The Vancouver Police Department has received more than 370 tips from the public on suspected rioters featured in 70,000 posters handed out last Thursday as part of the investigation into the Stanley Cup riot.
Const. Howard Chow, a VPD media liaison officer, said Monday detectives now have strong leads on 20 suspected rioters featured among the 100 photographs on the poster, which can also be viewed online.
"This is great news, it gives us more leads, it gives us more opportunity to find some of these rioters and bring them to justice," said Chow, noting the VPD's riot website received 4,000 first-time visitors since the poster campaign rolled out last week.
Of the new suspects identified, Chow said some are what the VPD consider its five "most wanted" for the alleged beating of Good Samaritan Robert Mackay in front of the Bay on the night of the riot.
A total of 15 suspects were involved in the attack on Mackay, who attempted to fend off rioters from doing further damage to the Bay, which had its windows smashed out and merchandise stolen. Police had already identified 10 of the 15 suspects, three of whom have been charged, another three are facing charges and four are under active investigation.
Bob Nelles was among more than 300 volunteers working with the VPD to circulate the posters throughout Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Like many Vancouverites, Nelles was disgusted when rioters ransacked downtown businesses and property last June after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena.
At the time, Nelles, 76, was in Quebec City on vacation. "I was having difficulty believing the television coverage," he recalled. "I thought, 'How can that be happening?' We did so well with the Olympics and even going back to Expo 86, Vancouver was the place to be. So to have the riot happen was really a black eye."
Ten months later, Nelles hasn't given up on the Vancouver Police Department's investigation to capture those people responsible for the mayhem, which caused $2.7 million in damages to businesses. In fact, the retired chartered accountant did his part last Thursday by volunteering for four hours to hand out posters of suspected rioters to the public. Nelles is a regular volunteer at the West End-Coal Harbour community policing centre and helped distribute the first batch of posters last November.
The Vancouver Police Foundation paid for the posters. The first batch cost $7,770 and the second $14,000 for a total of $21,770. The foundation also raised $300,000 after the riot to provide the VPD with at least 300 "grab-and-go" kits for officers, which contain protective helmets, shin pads, elbow pads and gloves. Of the 500 officers working the night of the riot, only 150 were wearing helmets.
To date, the VPD has recommended 432 charges against 150 suspects, 84 per cent of whom are not from Vancouver. The Crown prosecution team working with riot investigators has approved 177 charges against 67 people.
So far, only one of the suspects charged with participating in the riot has been sentenced. Ryan Dickinson was given a 17month jail term for his part in destroying two unmarked police cars and throwing a mannequin and newspaper box into a Black and Lee Tuxedo shop.
Twitter: @Howellings
