A Surrey man has been arrested by the Vancouver Police Department in the Downtown Eastside after allegedly threatening a traffic control person in Burnaby.
Initially, it was Burnaby RCMP officers who responded to the incident that occurred on May 4 at around 1 p.m.
“Burnaby RCMP officers responded after a man allegedly held a knife to the throat of a flagger near Olive Avenue and Central Boulevard,” VPD shared in a release.
VPD said that the man was observed boarding a SkyTrain bound for downtown before police arrived. His description was then broadcast to Vancouver police officers shortly after the Burnaby traffic incident.
Around two hours later, Vancouver Police District Five officers observed a man who closely matched the description of the suspect walking along East Hastings Street near Main Street.
VPD officers searched the man during his arrest and recovered a “hunting-style knife.”
It turns out that the suspect, 42-year-old Derrick Whitebear, is a Surrey resident. He was transported to a Vancouver jail before being turned over to Burnaby RCMP officers, since the reported crime occurred in Burnaby.
“Whitebear has been charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation. He remains in custody until his next court hearing,” VPD said.
#VPDNews: VPD officers arrested a man in the Downtown Eastside after he allegedly threatened a traffic control person in Burnaby with a knife.
On May 4, shortly after 1:00 p.m., Burnaby RCMP officers responded after a man allegedly held a knife to the throat of a flagger near… pic.twitter.com/fXfpcsZaD7
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) May 7, 2026