Toronto Police Release Video, Images of Suspect in Violent Broadview Station Purse Snatching

A violent purse snatching took place earlier this week at Broadview subway station and Toronto police has released video footage, along with suspect images. The suspect has been described as a male between the age of 40 and 50. The robbery is one of the many incidents that have been reported on TTC property.

Toronto police has shared a video of a violent purse snatching that took place on January 23 shortly before 7 p.m. at Broadview subway station. The video shows a man standing at the end of a flight of stairs for a few seconds after which he exits the frame. A few more seconds later, the suspect and a female victim rush back down the stairs, and the victim falls to the ground. The suspect then aggressively snatches her purse and goes back up the stairs.

The police has also released suspect images showing the man wearing a pale green jacket and beige pants. He has been described to be between 40 and 50 years of age standing around five feet six inches. At the time of the snatching, he was wearing the pale green jacket and beige pants. Anyone with information has been asked to inform the investigators.

This incident is the latest in a series of violent acts that have taken place on TTC property. Recently, a woman was stabbed and left with life-altering injuries on a downtown streetcar. Additionally, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed on a bus. TTC operators are also being attacked as earlier this week, a TTC operator was shot with a BB gun while standing outside the intersection of Markham and Progress Avenue in Scarborough. The operator did not sustain any bodily injuries and police are looking into the occurrence.

The union representing TTC has written a letter to PM Trudeau requesting federal support in addressing the “public transit safety crisis in Toronto.”

At the beginning of the year, Mayor John Tory announced an additional $53 million for TTC in its 2023 budget. Fares were increased by 10 cents and the mayor said this was a way to “keep both riders and hardworking frontline TTC employees safe.” The budget includes hiring 50 more TTC special constables along with 10 additional Streets to Homes outreach workers.

Vineet Washington