A 53-year-old West Vancouver man could face charges after a road rage incident escalated to an alleged threat with a gun.
Police say a tow truck driver was in the process of towing a vehicle on Esquimalt Avenue just west of Taylor Way around 8:30 p.m. Sunday when a suspect drove past him “at a speed that was higher than what was comfortable for the tow employee.”
This led to the tow truck driver making a “gesture” and having some words with the driver, setting the confrontation in motion.
“The passing guy took offence to it, walked out and allegedly, while he’s in a verbal dispute with the tow truck driver ... pulls his jacket back to reveal what looks like a firearm in his waistband,” said Const. Jeff Palmer, West Vancouver Police Department spokesman.
He then fled, Palmer said.
The driver called police and passed along partial licence plate information. Officers located the suspect at a home on the 200 block of Keith Road and apprehended him without incident.
While at the home, police seized the hyper-realistic looking air gun, as well as another air rifle made to look like an assault rifle.
Police are requesting the Crown lay charges of assault, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The suspect was released on promise to appear in court in April.
Police strongly recommend against keeping replica guns around, Palmer said.
“It’s fairly rare for us, thankfully, that replica or such firearms are involved in a threats case but once could be way too much if somebody with a real or replica looking weapon ends up in a direct confrontation with police,” he said.
“Officers have to treat it like it’s a real weapon.”
