New Westminster – Charges of aggravated assault have been approved for two youths arrested by Metro Vancouver Transit Police in connection with an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam.
On March 10, 2022, just after 6 p.m., a man was chased into the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station by two suspects, one of whom was seen carrying a large machete. The man attempted to use a pylon to protect himself, while one of the suspects allegedly swung the machete in his direction several times. The machete eventually made contact with the side of the victim’s head.
The suspects then ran out of the station while a witness called 9-1-1. Police officers arrived on scene and tended to the victim until BC Ambulance Service arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment for a large laceration, which required multiple staples to close.
Transit Police officers from the General Investigations Unit worked tirelessly to identify the suspects and gather the needed evidence. Then, with assistance from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team and the Port Moody Police Department, both suspects were arrested without incident.
The suspects who are 16-years-old and 17-years-old, both from Port Moody, cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. In addition to the charge of aggravated assault, Transit Police are also recommending charges of Failure to Comply with a Court Order, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, and Possession of a Controlled Drug or Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking. The suspects have been released from custody with several conditions, including a nightly curfew, as they await their next court appearance.
“This was a terrifying ordeal for everyone involved, and our officers put in a lot of work to make the arrests quickly. However, we do not believe there is a risk to public safety as the suspects and victim were known to each other.” – Constable Amanda Steed
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a crime on or near transit is asked to report it. Call 604.515.8300 or text 87.77.77 for Transit Police. Always call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
