A woman is recovering in the hospital after a “scary incident” that required the response from three policing agencies.
Just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, New Westminster police say they responded to an assault in progress in the 800 block of Surrey Street.
“Patrol members arrived on scene and witnessed a male assaulting a female,” said a NWPD press release. “Upon seeing the police, the suspect ran into the home and locked the doors. Patrol members attended to the victim while attempting to negotiate the surrender of the suspect.”
When the suspect refused to leave the home, the police department called in the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services to assist with the arrest. The NWPD reports that the suspect was located in the residence after police deployed “diversionary devices and less lethal chemical agents."
Police say the victim suffered serious injuries in the assault and was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital, where she is in stable condition and is communicating with police.
Neighbours said it appeared a man in his boxer shorts was arrested in the “scary incident” that included officers in tactical gear descending on a home in their neighbourhood and using a battering ram to enter the home.
The NWPD will be recommending charges of aggravated assault against a 25-year-old Coquitlam resident.
“We’re still in the early stages of this investigation and are attempting to determine how the victim and the suspect are known to each other and what led to the assault,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “We thank neighbours in the area for their patience and cooperation as we took this suspect into custody.”
