A 62-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a series of violent incidents in Vancouver on Wednesday. The events unfolded at an office building located at Cambie Street and West 41st Avenue, near Oakridge Centre, starting around 5:15 p.m.

According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the first incident involved a 58-year-old woman who was leaving a medical appointment. As she exited the office, a man allegedly grabbed her and assaulted her in the hallway. Fortunately, she was able to scream and escape without serious injury.

Just 14 minutes later, a 14-year-old girl was using a public washroom in the same building when she was confronted by the same man. Armed with a knife, he allegedly sexually assaulted and forcibly confined her. The attacker fled the scene when another person attempted to enter the washroom.

As police were responding to the sexual assault, the suspect reportedly entered a bank on the ground floor of the building and attempted to rob it. He was taken into custody shortly after, around 5:40 p.m.

The suspect, identified as John Frederick Field from Surrey, B.C., faces multiple charges. These include sexual assault with a weapon against a person under 16, forcible confinement, carrying a concealed weapon, robbery, and assault. He is currently being held in custody.

Field has a troubling history. In 2022, he was subject to a Canada-wide warrant after failing to return to a halfway house following his release from the maximum-security Kent Institution in Agassiz, B.C. At that time, the VPD labeled him a "high-risk sex offender" and a significant risk to the public. He had previously served time for sexual assault, break and enter, robbery, and theft, and had a history of committing violent offenses while under the influence of drugs.

The VPD is urging anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact them at 604-717-0602.