Crown Counsel has approved a charge of assault after Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers witnessed a man push an 86-year-old woman to the ground in the Downtown Eastside.

The incident happened Saturday afternoon on Hastings Street near Columbia Street while VPD District 5 officers were conducting proactive patrols.

 Officers saw the man allegedly shove the elderly woman, who was using a walker for mobility. The woman fell to the ground and suffered a cut to her forehead. Officers immediately arrested the suspect while the woman received medical treatment from EHS. The senior was later transported to hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.

 “Proactive policing works,” said Sergeant Adam Donaldson. “In the absence of video evidence capturing the incident, the next best thing was the officers’ observations, which led to a swift arrest.”

 Felix Harris, 40, has been charged with one count of assault.