Skip to content

PM Police charged at by man with hammer

A Vancouver man is facing several charges after allegedly threatening his mother and Port Moody Police officers, one of whom was close to firing his Taser at the suspect. Shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan.

A Vancouver man is facing several charges after allegedly threatening his mother and Port Moody Police officers, one of whom was close to firing his Taser at the suspect.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, PMPD officers responded to a complaint from a woman who had gotten into an argument with her adult son while driving. She said he'd smashed the dashboard and passenger door of her vehicle with a large hammer before he fled on foot.

The 39-year-old man, described as being about 6'4" and weighing 240 lb., was located as he fled along the 2400-block of St. Johns Street; the officer lost sight of the man as he ran behind the Burrard Public House.

A second officer who entered the laneway from a different direction spotted the man in an alcove where, "based on the male's stance it appears he may have been attempting to ambush the officer as he rounded the corner," according to a PMPD release.

When the man saw the second officer, he reportedly raised the hammer above his head and allegedly charged towards the officer, who was still seated in his police vehicle.

At the same time, the first officer entered the laneway and saw the man allegedly charging his partner, drew his gun and told the man to "stop and drop his weapon."

The man turned and, with the hammer raised, reportedly began advancing on the first officer.

He continued to ignore the officer's commands and advanced despite having a gun pointed at him.

The second officer got out of his vehicle, drew his conducted energy weapon and warned the man he would be tasered.

At this point, the man suddenly stopped, looked around, dropped the hammer and surrendered without further incident.

"This entire scenario could have ended quite differently had it not been for the restraint of the officers on scene," said Const. Luke van Winkel.

 

OTHER PMPD NEWS:

A Port Moody woman was arrested on Friday after reportedly brandishing a shotgun from her balcony.

Police were called to the home in the 200-block of Angela Drive shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 for reports of a woman who had apparently been yelling at two women in a vehicle, and possibly pointing a shotgun at them.

Officers shut down traffic and set up a containment area around the home before ordering the woman to come outside without the gun.

The 47-year-old woman left the home without further incident and was taken into custody for pointing a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. She was later taken to hospital under Section 28 of the Mental Health Act and was released on a promise to appear.

When officers searched the home, they found a 12-gauge shotgun under the bed in the master bedroom.

The woman's 25-year-old daughter said it belonged to her; police seized the shotgun for public safety.

It's believed the incident stems from an family dispute.

"Every family has arguments and disagreements but to get to the point where you're pointing a shotgun at someone goes beyond rational thinking," said Const. Luke van Winkel. "Everyone involved is quite fortunate this incident didn't end tragically."

spayne@tricitynews.com