A Surrey man has been arrested and charged with assault for allegedly holding a knife to the throat of a traffic control flagger in Burnaby on Monday (May 4).
Burnaby RCMP responded to a call about a flagger being threatened shortly after 1 p.m. near Olive Avenue and Central Boulevard. The suspect was seen boarding a SkyTrain for downtown Vancouver before police arrived.
The description of the suspect was quickly communicated to Vancouver Police officers. Two hours later, VPD officers saw a man who matched the suspect’s description walking along East Hastings near Main Street in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
Derrick Whitebear, 42, was arrested, and police discovered a “hunting-style knife” during a search of him after his arrest.
He is charged with assault with a weapon and breaching his probation.
He was transported to Vancouver jail before being handed over to Burnaby RCMP.
Whitebear remains in custody until his next court hearing.
About the Author: Anna Burns
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