BURST
A Surrey man is facing assault and arson charges after someone tried to set a man on fire aboard a SkyTrain car last month.
Transit Police said it happened on a SkyTrain travelling from Vancouver to Burnaby on Dec. 16 when, just before 3 p.m., a man poured liquid on a sleeping man’s clothing and tried to ignite it, said Transit Police.
Bystanders jumped in and held a suspect at Patterson SkyTrain Station until police arrived.
Const. Amanda Steed, spokeswoman for the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, said the assault on the sleeping man was unprovoked, and commended the witnesses for their actions.
“This was a terrifying ordeal and thankfully, the victim did not suffer any serious physical injuries,” she said in a statement. “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 rushed to assist the victim and held the suspect until police arrived.”
Sukbinder Sogy, 37, of Surrey was charged with assault with a weapon, mischief causing actual danger and possession of incendiary material.
He remains in custody until his next court appearance in Vancouver provincial court on Jan. 21.
He also faces similar charges from a separate incident in Vancouver in August 2024.