Police responded to the 300 block of Columbia Street after receiving a report of a female smashing windows to the Transit Police office using a bat. The female was located just east of the office, still in possession of the baseball bat. The responding members were attempting to take her into custody however she did not comply with verbal direction. At one point she swung her bat at one of the responding police officers who deployed his Conducted Energy Weapon which successfully incapacitated the female, who was then taken into custody.

While walking in the 400 block of Columbia Street, a male was accosted by person unknown to him, who started to verbally abuse him. The contact escalated to an altercation at which time the victim was stabbed. A second victim also suffered injury during the incident. The first victim was stabbed in the torso and the second was slashed on his hand. The suspect was arrested as well as another person who attempted to destroy evidence at the scene. A 43 year old Abbotsford male is charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, and a 35 year old New Westminster male is charged with Obstruction.

A lone male entered the Bank of Nova Scotia and waited in the customer line-up for the next available teller. When a teller became available, the male approached and robbed the teller. The teller gave the suspect some money at which time the suspect left and quietly walked out of the bank. An off-duty Transit Police member, alerted to the robbery by bank staff, followed the male on foot, while reporting the robbery via his cell phone. The off-duty member provided the male's description and direction of travel, as multiple NWPS members converged on the scene on foot and by vehicle. The male was arrested without incident. The male was searched and the cash from the bank was recovered at the scene. Patrol members initially took this file; however, Major Crime Unit members continued the investigation.  A 52 year old Vancouver resident is charged with Robbery.

While at work, the victim noticed a male inside his vehicle. The victim confronted the male suspect, who was in the company of a second male, and was pepper sprayed. Both male suspects then fled, and the male victim gave chase. In addition, one of the suspects produced a knife and threatened the male victim as he gave chase. Police attended the scene and both suspects were subsequently located and taken into custody. Charges are pending against a 15 year old New West youth and a 15 year old Burnaby youth.

While patrolling Queens Park just before midnight, a member was flagged over by a female who reported that there was a male sitting in the cook shack, who appeared to be in some type of distress and in need of assistance. The police officer located the male and noted that the male was sobbing. Identifying himself, the police officer asked the male if he needed assistance. The male did not respond verbally, but instead got to his feet and charged at the police officer, who was now approximately 25 feet away. The suspect attacked the police officer. During the attack, the police officer became aware that the suspect was holding a knife. As the struggle/fight continued, the male was able to break free, and he subsequently fled on foot. The suspect escaped after a foot pursuit. Cover units were very close by and on scene almost immediately to establish a perimeter. It was quickly determined that the member had been slashed across the face, as well as across his abdomen.

 

The member was treated at hospital, and subsequently released. He sustained approximately a 3" laceration to his cheek, which required approximately 14 sutures to close.

 

The Major Crime Unit continues this investigation and the NWPS appreciates the assistance provided by the following police agencies in response to this serious police officer assault: Burnaby RCMP, Port Moody Police, RCMP Lower Mainland Police Service Dogs and Emergency Response Team and Air 1 Helicopter.

Police attended an underground parking lot in the 700 Hamilton Street in response to a complaint of several vehicles being broken into. Of note, a prolific property offender was associated to this apartment complex. The Forensic Identification Section obtained a fingerprint which was determined to belong to the prolific offender known to reside at the apartment building. It was also learned there was a warrant for this suspect’s arrest. The New Westminster Street Crime Unit located and arrested the suspect the following day. Recommendations have been forwarded for 6 counts of Theft, 6 counts of Mischief and 8 counts of Breach of Probation.