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Bail hearing postponed for man accused of Richmond Valentine's Day assaults

Ernesto Mendoza Malgapo will return to Richmond Provincial Court by video next week
valentines-assault-scene
The scene of the second Valentine's assault.

A man accused of two random assaults on Valentine's Day will have to wait another week to see if he gets bail.

Ernesto Mendoza Malgapo, 41, appeared by video from prison in an orange jumpsuit for his bail hearing on Wednesday morning.

Malgapo is charged with assault causing bodily harm in relation to the attacks on Feb. 14 in the 6400 block of Buswell Street, between Cook and Saba roads.

Malgapo's lawyer, Paul Sprackman, told Richmond Provincial Court judge Bonnie Craig he was still working on a bail plan and asked to adjourn the bail hearing.

Craig agreed and Malgapo will be returning to court via video for his bail hearing on Wednesday, March 8.

Two women were assaulted on the morning of Valentine's Day in the city centre, with one of the victims being sent to hospital with injuries that were "life-threatening" at one point, but later stabilized.

Malgapo was later arrested by Richmond RCMP on Feb. 17 and charged with assault causing bodily harm in relation to the assaults. Police are currently looking for a male witness, who helped the second victim, and a white Mercedes SUV that drove past the assault.

They said that more charges may be pending.

- With files from Valerie Leung