Victoria police seek help identifying suspect who punched restaurant patron
![Restaurant assault suspect Victoria police are asking the public for help identifying a man who punched a restaurant patron in the face earlier this week. (VicPD)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/3/18/restaurant-assault-suspect-1-6319235-1679173210954.png)
Victoria police are asking the public for help identifying a man who punched a restaurant patron in the face earlier this week.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, according to a news release issued by the Victoria Police Department Friday.
Staff at a restaurant in Bastion Square stopped serving a man who had begun to appear impaired by drugs or alcohol, police said.
The man became "verbally abusive," prompting a patron to join staff in asking the man to leave, according to police.
"The man became enraged and threatened the patron with a chair," VicPD said in the statement.
"A second patron stepped in and took the chair away from the man. The man then moved to leave. Without warning the man then struck the first patron in the face, damaged an umbrella and left the restaurant."
The patron who was assaulted sustained "non-life-threatening facial and dental injuries," police said.
The VicPD shared three surveillance images of the suspect, who it described as white, "approximately 35 years old," and 6'1" tall.
He has a slim build and short, brown hair that is longer on top and shaved to stubble on the sides and back, police said.
They said he was wearing a black bomber jacket, dark pants, dark shoes and a black backpack at the time of the incident. He was also carrying "a black back with red piping."
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call the VicPD report desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Celine Dion stages comeback with performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Paris Olympics kicks off with ambitious but rainy opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn $146,000 for water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.