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Update: Police say teen arrested in Burnaby allegedly threatened to kill, tried to stab Burnaby cop

Numerous police vehicles, ERT and a canine unit descended on a home on Duthie Avenue near Hastings Street after a 15-year-old allegedly threatened to kill and then tried to stab a police officer.
Duthie police01
Police locked down part of Burnaby's Westridge neighbourhood after a youth allegedly tried to stab an officer and then fled on foot to a nearby house.

A youth arrested in Burnaby yesterday allegedly threatened to kill and then tried to stab a police officer, according to Burnaby RCMP.

The officer was seated in his parked police vehicle near Hastings Street and Duthie Avenue at about 7 p.m., when he was approached by a teen who made offensive gestures at him, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release.

“The suspect did this repeatedly, in a blatant attempt to engage with the officer,” stated the release.

When the officer stepped out of his vehicle and tried to speak with the youth, police say the suspect threatened to kill the officer.

The officer then tried to arrest the suspect, and a struggle ensued during which the suspect pulled out a knife and tried to stab the officer, according to the release 

The suspect then reportedly fled on foot to a nearby residence.

“Based on the erratic behaviour of the suspect and concern for public safety, the immediate area was locked down as police attempted to negotiate with the suspect and his family,” stated the release.

Numerous police vehicles converged on the scene, as well as the Emergency Response Team and a canine unit.

Police say the suspect was “uncooperative and continued to behave erratically” for about one hour before surrendering to police at about 8 p.m.

“This was a dynamic situation that escalated in just moments, and thankfully no injuries were sustained as a result of this incident,” Burnaby RCMP Supt. Sunny Parmar said in the release.

The 15-year-old boy now faces charges of assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com