North Vancouver RCMP are investigating an Agassiz man following a high-risk takedown on the Upper Levels Highway Tuesday afternoon.
Agassiz RCMP requested assistance from their North Vancouver counterparts on Tuesday, warning them that a suspect with stolen property and firearms he intended to sell was headed to the North Shore.
Just before 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, waiting Mounties spotted the man in a pickup truck headed west on Highway 1 near the Westview Avenue exit, according to Const. Brett Cunningham, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
Witness Patricia Houlihan described four or five police cruisers plus several unmarked police vehicles quietly congregating on the highway before springing into action.
“They were like ‘One, two, three – bang! They all put on their sirens. They completely blocked this guy off and they hopped out of their cars with their guns drawn. It was bizarre. I’ve never seen that in Canada. I’ve never seen it anywhere. It was well done like the movies,” she said.
The 26-year-old suspect gave himself up without incident.
“Because the male was reported to be in possession of firearms, we take precautionary measures obviously to ensure we don’t get into a shootout with the individual,” Cunningham said. “It was multiple vehicles and our firearms are out.”
Police did seize a number of guns from the truck, although Cunningham could not say what type or calibre they were.
As of Thursday, the case was still under investigation and no charges had been recommended to Crown.
The suspect, who is known to police, has since been released from custody.
