Three girls have been arrested and charged after what police are calling two separate violent attacks on teenage girls taking transit in B.C.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police announced on Oct. 17 that a 13-year-old girl from Surrey, a 15-year-old girl from Abbotsford and a 17-year-old girl from Surrey are the suspects.
The first attack occurred on July 11 at 9 p.m., when a 16-year-old homestay student was taking a SkyTrain from Columbia Station into Surrey.
According to police, the 16-year-old girl reached out her arm to prevent one of the suspects from "prying open the door" as the train was travelling across a bridge.
The three suspects encircled the student and allegedly punched her, kicked her and dragged her by her hair.
Other people on the SkyTrain helped the teen and two SkyTrain employees at Surrey Central Station called the police and an ambulance. The girl was taken to the hospital but there is no update on her injuries.
On the same night, the three suspects boarded a transit bus at 160th Street and 100th Avenue just after midnight.
An 18-year-old woman was surrounded by the three suspects on the bus and there was a verbal exchange, according to police. The suspects allegedly punched, and kicked the victim and pulled out clumps of her hair.
The bus driver stopped and Surrey Police Service and Transit Police were called.
Const. Amanda Steed is thanking the strangers who helped.
"Transit Police would never ask that anyone place themselves in harm’s way, but we need to acknowledge the bravery and selflessness of the bystanders who attempted to help both of these young women, as well as the transit staff who called for help,” says Steed.
The three suspects cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and have all been charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault. Two of the girls have an additional charge of assault.
"We encourage anyone who feels unsafe on transit to text us at 87.77.77, or to call 911 if they sense that they are in immediate danger,” says Steed.
All three suspects are in custody and awaiting court appearances.
