Passerby stabbed by shoplifting suspect at Vancouver liquor store: police

A passerby was seriously injured Saturday after he was stabbed by a shoplifter who was trying to flee a liquor store in Vancouver's Olympic Village neighbourhood.

Vancouverpolice say the attack happened at around 10:30 p.m. PT, when a security guard was trying to stop a shoplifter from leaving the liquor store.

Police say the 63-year-old passerby intervened to help stop the alleged shoplifter and was stabbed by them in the process.

The stabbing injury was so severe, according to police, that officers had to provide emergency first aid by applying a tourniquet to slow the bleeding.

The shoplifting suspect, who fled the scene, was arrested along with three alleged accomplices shortly after midnight by patrolling officers in downtownVancouver, near Granville and Robson streets.

Police say they were able to identify the suspects through security images, and thatthe alleged shoplifter is "expected to face criminal charges" upon further investigation.

All four people arrested in the case have been released on bail.