A suspect has been arrested in connection with an attack on a man shovelling snow, an incident which could be linked to the slaying of a 74-year-old who was delivering Christmas cards.

Both attacks happened in Kitchener, Ont., but police are uncertain whether the two incidents are connected.

"We encourage people to continue to call us and to continue to be vigilant," said Insp. Bryan Larkin of the Waterloo Regional Police.

"Our investigation really begins now. We need more help from the community."

Police arrested the suspect in Kitchener, finding him inside a taxi with another passenger.

Investigators are now trying to secure a search warrant for an address in the same city.

The attack happened two days after the slaying.

Hunter Brown, described as a kind-hearted gentleman by his family, was killed in his next-door neighbour's driveway.

Later in the day, a man in his 30s was assaulted by an unknown male suspect, but was able to fend off the attacker with a snow shovel.

The attacker made a "negative reference" to God during the altercation, said Waterloo Regional police Staff Sgt. Adrian Darmon during a news conference Tuesday in Cambridge, Ont.

Police have set up a tip hotline and have been working around the clock since Saturday.

"We've had excellent assistance from members of the community but clearly we need a lot more help," Darmon told reporters.

Police continue to search for a suspect in the attack on Brown and have issued a community warning to residents of the area where he was killed.

Investigators have said Brown was killed with a "sharp-edged object."

Police have released a composite image of a suspect wanted in connection with the slaying. The man is described as a white male in his 20s with an average build, long dark hair, and wearing a dark trench-style overcoat and black tuque with red lines.

This description was similar to the one police released in connection to the other attack.

In that incident, police described the suspect as male, white, 15-18 years old, shoulder-length black hair, unshaven, wearing a black tuque, black hip-length jacket, dark pants, black boots and a black knapsack.

Brown and his wife had lived in their Kitchener home for 34 years, and he retired after a career with Bell Canada.

The couple had two children and three grandchildren.

With a report from CTV Southwestern Ontario's Michael Melling