Charges laid in ‘alarming assault’ on mother in New Westminster, B.C.

One person has been charged after allegedly punching a woman in the face while she was walking with her baby in New Westminster Monday.

A 27-year-old is facing charges after what police described as an unprovoked “stranger assault” on a mother and her baby in downtown New Westminster, B.C.

Investigators say a bystander called 911 at approximately 1 p.m. on Monday after witnessing the alleged attack in a crosswalk near the intersection of 10th and Carnarvon streets.

“Officers learned from the victim that a stranger pushed her baby stroller before striking her in the face,” the New Westminster Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

“The child appeared to be unharmed, however the mother sustained injuries to her face.”

Police located a suspect who matched the witness description, and officers executed an arrest after “several minutes of de-escalation,” according to the release.

Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Richard Wang of Coquitlam.

Court records show Wang has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm and one count of obstructing a police officer.

“This was an unprovoked and alarming assault on a mother walking with her child,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in the release. “Thanks to a quick call to 911 and the work of responding officers, a suspect was taken into custody within minutes.”

Wang is scheduled to appear in Port Coquitlam provincial court on Wednesday morning.