Mom, infant threatened; Vancouver police looking for witnesses

Vancouver police say they are looking for more witnesses in a case where a man allegedly made racial threats to an African American woman pushing her infant in a stroller on Main Street.

Austin James Lansdon, 28, has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of malicious harassment and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

Police were called to the 3900 block of Main Street on Aug. 18. The woman told police she was walking when a stranger approached her, began yelling racial slurs and made threats of physical violence to her and her baby. During the confrontation he grabbed the stroller and prevented the woman from moving away.

A motorist stopped to help, and the man let go of the stroller and walked away.

When the motorist left, the violent stranger ran back toward the victim and her child. She was able to run across the street and call 911, according to police.

Video footage captured images of the attack, including a distinctive backpack the stranger carried. On Monday, a police officer spotted Lansdon carrying the backpack and arrested him.

Detectives would like to speak with the motorist who offered help and any other possible witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Vancouver Police Detective Dustin Goudschaal at 360-487-7436.