North Vancouver RCMP have arrested a Vancouver man for random assaults and arson.
On December 25, 2024, at approximately 3:15 p.m., North Vancouver RCMP responded to reports of a random assault that occurred in the 100 block of Bewicke Avenue in North Vancouver. It is alleged that a 38-year-old female was assaulted after confronting a man who was damaging a parked vehicle.
The suspect left before police arrival. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Approximately 30 minutes later, also on December 25, police received a call of a stranger assault at the Christmas Market located at the Shipyards near Lonsdale Avenue and Victory Ship Way. It is alleged that the same suspect punched a woman from behind and assaulted her son, then left before police arrival. The woman suffered injuries and was treated by paramedics.
On December 29, 2024, at approximately 6 am, North Vancouver RCMP received reports of an arson in the 100 block of East Keith Road. It is alleged the same suspect responsible for the random assaults started a fire at the front door of a unit within an apartment building. Fire crews extinguished the fire before it caused significant damage, but several people were displaced.
Shortly before noon on December 29, a suspect was arrested by front-line officers in the 1900 block of Lonsdale Ave. At the time of the arrest, the suspect was also allegedly breaching conditions of a release order stemming from an incident for which he was arrested in November 2023. The
BC Prosecution Service has approved charges of Assault x2, Assault causing bodily harm, 4x Mischief, and Arson against Jeremy Lariviere of Vancouver.
He is currently held in custody, and his next court appearance is on January 16. The investigation into the three current incidents remains ongoing.
“Although charges have been approved, we are still looking for more evidence,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. “In particular, investigators are looking for witnesses and dash cam of the second assault that is alleged to have occurred on Christmas Day at the Shipyards Christmas Market at around 3:45 p.m.”
Anyone with information about these incidents and who has not spoken to police is asked to call North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file #2024-26388. Those who wish to provide information but want to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
