Earlier this week, a 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with a knife and bear spray scare against Metrotown security staff.
Burnaby RCMP said the incident occurred on April 22 after 10 p.m.
Details shared by the RCMP suggest that the suspect allegedly attempted to use bear spray on security staff while holding a knife. Before officers arrived on the scene, the suspect fled.
Thanks to some witnesses and Metrotown security, police were able to locate the suspect just a short distance away. When police engaged the suspect, he was holding what is believed to be a can of bear spray.
Burnaby RCMP said that the suspect ignored commands from officers, requiring the use of force.
“With the presence of two weapons and the public safety risk, arresting officers used distractionary strikes and deployed a conducted energy weapon in order to gain control of the resisting subject as safely as possible,” Burnaby RCMP said.
The suspect suffered “very minor injuries” and was immediately given medical assistance.
After the suspect was taken into custody, police recovered a can of bear spray and a knife.
“The suspect was transported to Burnaby RCMP cells and now faces multiple potential criminal charges,” RCMP adds.
“If not for the actions of our frontline officers, this situation could have had much more dire consequences,” said Superintendent Sunny Parmar, Burnaby RCMP’s operations officer, in a statement.
Burnaby RCMP also commented on a video of the incident shared on social media.
“We are aware that there is video of this interaction online that does not capture the totality of the circumstances. If you have video of the incident, or witnessed it and haven’t spoken to police, our investigators would like to hear from you.”
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999, quoting file number 25-13386.