B.C. crime news: ‘Unprovoked, random’ arson attack on man sitting on Vancouver park bench | Man convicted of dragging RCMP officer with vehicle on highway

One man’s pants were lit on fire in a random early morning attack in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday.

Just before 1 a.m., a man sitting alone on a park bench near Beach Avenue and Davie Street was approached by an unknown suspect. Without warning or provocation, the suspect threw a liquid accelerant onto the 57-year-old victim’s pant leg and ignited it with a lighter before fleeing the scene. No words or threats were exchanged before the assault.

“This was a completely unprovoked, random attack,” said Vancouver police Const. Darren Wong.

The victim successfully stamped out the fire and wasn’t injured in the attack. Police conducted an immediate search of the area but couldn’t find the suspect, described as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10, with an average build. He was wearing dark clothing and white around his neck.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to call the non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.

A Vancouver man who hit and dragged an RCMP officer with his vehicle while fleeing from a traffic stop has been sentenced to more than a year in jail.

Tobin Haas, 58, had been stopped by police on Highway 91 near 72nd Avenue in Delta on Feb. 17, 2024, a stop triggered by an outstanding warrant for breaking-and-entering. When asked for his ID, Haas sped off, hitting the officer with his vehicle and dragging him a short distance.

The officer suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries but has yet to return to full duty as he continues to recover.

“Our investigators reviewed CCTV, checked police radio recordings, wrote search warrants and took witness statements, including from the officer who was hurt,” said RCMP Sgt. Michael McLaughlin. “If you get stopped by the police, do not make a bad day worse by fleeing the scene.

“When you get pulled over by police, it’s almost certain that we already have you recorded on camera. It’s safer for everyone if you wait for the court process to contest the charges against you.”

Haas had previously been found guilty of fleeing from police and dangerous operation of a conveyance in a separate 2021 incident, according to court services records.

In March, he pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm and driving while suspended. He was sentenced to 12½ months in jail, two years probation and an additional three-year driving ban.

Police have closed the file of a 2024 arson attack after the remains of the lone suspect were discovered in a wooded area in Surrey.

In August 2024, a man was seriously injured after being doused in an accelerant and lit on fire in his business, and the police investigation led to Kalid Yimer as the lone suspect. The 33-year-old fled the scene in a stolen car — later recovered — and disappeared, and had been the subject of a countrywide search for the past two years.