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Mask-less man bear sprays Vancouver gas station attendant, breaks into nearby property

Charges have been recommended
vancouver police car
Vancouver Police recently arrested a man who allegedly used bear spray on a gas station attendant who asked him to put on a face mask. Photo: Vancouver Courier

The Vancouver Police Department is recommending charges against a man after a pair of incidents Dec. 23.

The first part happened just before 8:30 a.m. when a man walked into a gas station near Hastings Street and Victoria Drive without a mask on. Staff asked him to wear a mask, he became agitated. 

"He became upset and allegedly deployed bear spray at an employee before fleeing," write the Vancouver Police Department in an online release.

Police responded to the incident but weren't able to locate the man.

However, a short time later police responded to a break-and-enter nearby. There they found a man matching the description of the suspect in the bear spray incident. When questioned he confessed to the assault.

"Charges were recommended and he was released on conditions," writes Cst. Tania Visitin in an email.