A South Asian man has been arrested and charged after a teen was assaulted in a Vancouver mall. Faisal Abubaker, 25, has been charged with assault and was released from custody until his next court appearance.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER – A man has been arrested and charged after a teen was assaulted in a Vancouver mall.

Faisal Abubaker, 25, has been charged with assault and was released from custody until his next court appearance.

Vancouver Police are appealing for witnesses to a seemingly random assault that is alleged to have been committed on a 15-year-boy, and have released video of the incident with hopes that people will come forward.

“Although we have arrested a suspect in this case, we are still gathering evidence,” says Constable Tania Visintin. “We are particularly interested in speaking to people who saw the suspect immediately before or after the alleged assault, or overheard any interaction the suspect had with the victim or other people."

The 15-year-old victim was walking in Pacific Centre Mall around 11:45 a.m. on May 8 when a man approached him from behind and leg-swept him to the ground. The alleged suspect fled after the assault, but was followed by mall security.

The teen did not suffer serious physical injuries.

VPD patrol officers were called immediately and quickly located the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 604-717-2541.