Vancouver – Vancouver Police arrested a man with a meat cleaver on Sunday after he was threatening to kill people outside the Women’s Centre located in sketchy Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.
Witnesses say one woman was followed in to the Women’s Centre by the 31-year-old suspect just after 1 p.m. on January 16, 2022 and began uttering threats at her while wielding a large knife.
VPD officers were close by when they received the report and were able to arrest the suspect nearby, after he tossed the knife and walked away.
One witness, while waiting for police to arrive ran over and picked up the knife as the man discarded it to prevent him from threatening anyone else with the knife. The witness was able to point out the suspect to police as he walked away.
“Many violent crimes go unreported in the Downtown Eastside, and this arrest was made possible because several people acted quickly and did the right thing,” says Sergeant Steve Addison. “Their actions allowed VPD officers to respond immediately and arrest a violent suspect before anyone was physically hurt.”
The suspect was taken to jail. VPD is recommending numerous charges related to weapons, assault, and breach of bail.
