Man charged in ‘unprovoked assault’ on Vancouver beach released from custody

People sun themselves at Kitsilano Beach on Saturday, May 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A man accused of attacking a woman with a piece of wood on a Vancouver beach in what police described as an “unprovoked assault” has been released from custody.

The incident occurred on June 28 at Kitsilano Beach, where investigators say the woman was walking with her partner and was approached from behind and struck in the head just before 2 p.m.

“Witnesses described the weapon as a piece of lumber or driftwood about the size and thickness of a baseball bat,” the Vancouver Police Department said.

The woman’s partner intervened alongside bystanders, who followed the suspect and called 911.

The victim was bleeding from the head and slipping in and out of consciousness when she was taken to hospital for treatment, police said in a statement Monday.

Carlos Caldera Duarte was arrested at a nearby dollar store. He was charged with one count of assault with a weapon, according to investigators.

Duarte was released back into the community on Tuesday after spending less than 48 hours in custody, according to the victim and police.

His next court appearance is scheduled for July 7.