Police: Man cited for attack attempt in park

A transient man was cited after attacking a man walking near Esther Short Park on Wednesday, but just for attempted assault, because he apparently never landed a punch.

A man told police he was walking along the sidewalk around Esther Short Park at about 11 a.m. when another man reportedly ran at him and tried to punch him in the face, Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said.

Talking to other witnesses, police gathered that the man dodged the alleged assailant and struck back, hitting him in the face.

The man and bystanders held the assailant down until police and paramedics arrived, Kapp said.

The transient, Gary M. Steiner, 40, was taken to a hospital to check his injuries, then issued a criminal citation for attempted fourth-degree assault, Kapp said.

It was unclear what happened leading up the assault, she said.