A group of youth allegedly assaulted staff at a downtown bar with bear spray after being refused service.
The New Westminster Police Department reported that its officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Columbia Street at around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, after staff at Georgie’s Local Kitchen and Bar were assaulted by a suspect using bear spray. Staff told police they were assaulted after asking a group of underage youth to leave the licensed establishment.
“What exactly happened at the bar has yet to be determined,” said a NWPD statement to the Record. “Officers have been told the assault occurred after the group was asked to leave.”
According to a NWPD press release, the group of youths fled towards Columbia SkyTrain station. One person was detained by members of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police.
The New Westminster Police Department has since taken over this investigation, and is asking anyone who witnessed the alleged assault and hasn’t spoken to police to reach out to officers to share what they saw.
“People working in the customer service field deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “I hope parents take this opportunity to speak with their children about just how serious charges of assault with a weapon are, and how a conviction of assault with a weapon can change your life.”
Anyone with further information regarding this incident should contact New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.
