Man wanted for pointing gun at New Westminster police officer

Police in New Westminster have issued a public warning for a suspect after he allegedly pulled a gun at an officer then fled the scene, prompting a police chase through three municipalities in Metro Vancouver.

The incident began at 10 a.m. on Monday when New Westminster Police officers responded to calls of two people sleeping inside a vehicle on the 100 block of Royal Avenue. There was also a small pit bull-breed dog in the vehicle.

The male suspect sitting in the driver’s seat produced a gun when officers approached the vehicle and made verbal contact.

“The male pointed the firearm directly at the NWPD member and pulled the trigger, however, the firearm failed to discharge,” said police in a statement.

The suspect vehicle was chased through the streets of Metro Vancouver, heading west from New Westminster and traveling through Burnaby and Vancouver. Throughout the police chase, the vehicle was involved in multiple hit and runs, resulting in damage to the vehicle.

Police lost the suspect vehicle in South Vancouver – it was last seen at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Southwest Marine Drive and Inverness Street.

Later in the day at 8 p.m., police located the suspect vehicle in a residential driveway with no relation to the incident: a white, 4-door Buick Lacrosse with Alberta License Plate J33225. However, the vehicle was unoccupied and the unknown male and female occupants still remain at large.

The male driver is described by police as a Caucasian with dark hair, a hoop earring in his left ear, “soul patch” style facial hair, full sleeve tattoos, and a tattoo on the left side of his neck. He was wearing a short sleeve shirt and black baseball hat at the time of the incident.

The female passenger who was in the car with the suspect is described as a Caucasian with reddish/orange hair and acne or pock marks on her face. She was wearing a tank top and tights with a flower pattern.

Police say the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who comes across these individuals is asked to call 911 immediately.