Knife-wielding BC man charged with sexually assaulting girl, 14, in public bathroom

A high-risk sex offender, well known to police in the Lower Mainland, has been hit with several charges after an alleged crime spree in a Vancouver office building earlier this week.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says “the series of violent incidents” began in the building at Cambie Street and 41st Avenue, near Oakridge Centre, around 5:15 pm Wednesday.

According to police, 62-year-old John Frederick Field, who has a history with police, first grabbed a 58-year-old woman in a hallway as she was leaving a medical appointment.

Field allegedly assaulted the stranger, who screamed and was able to get away without seriously physical injury.

“Minutes later, a 14-year-old girl was using a public washroom in the same building when she was sexually-assaulted and forcibly confined by a stranger who was armed with a knife,” a VPD release explained.

“The suspect escaped after another person tried to enter the washroom as the sexual assault was taking place.”

At this point, as several VPD officers were rushing to the scene, Field allegedly entered a bank on the ground floor of the same building and committed a robbery.

Officers arrived at the location around 5:40 pm and were able to take Field into custody.

The 62-year-old has been charged with sexual assault with a weapon against a person under 16, forcible confinement, carrying a concealed weapon, robbery and assault.

He remains in custody at this time.