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Pair arrested for alleged mask-dispute attack on Burnaby SkyTrain

Man, 25, and woman, 19, face assault charges after they allegedly knocked a woman who confronted them to the ground and hit her before leaving the train at Metrotown
skytrain
A man and a woman face charges in conjunction with a recent incident on the SkyTrain involving a confrontation about wearing face masks while on transit. File photo

A 19-year-old woman and 25-year-old man are facing charges in relation to an alleged attack on a woman who confronted them about not wearing masks on a SkyTrain in Burnaby in September.

Both suspects are "known to police,” according to Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and both are from Burnaby.

The woman faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm, and the man faces a charge of assault.

The charges are related to an alleged encounter on Sept. 20 at about 7:20 p.m.

A woman was on a SkyTrain travelling through Burnaby when she noticed a man and a woman were sitting close to her without masks on, according to a transit police news release at the time.

The woman asked them if they had masks to wear, to which they replied “What’s it to you?” according to the release.

The female suspect then got up and allegedly knocked the woman to the ground, the release said.

Both suspects then allegedly hit the victim while she was on the ground before leaving the train at Metrotown Station, according to transit police.

Investigators sifted through security footage, and an officer with the crime suppression team recognized the pair, according to transit police spokesperson Const. Mike Yake.

The woman was arrested on Sept. 23 and the man was arrested on Oct. 19. Both have since been released on conditions, including not contacting their alleged victim.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 13 in Vancouver provincial court.

“No matter what dispute a person may have with others, harassment or aggression is not the answer. Anyone who resorts to violence will be held accountable,” Yake said in a press release.

Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com