A pair of Port Moody teenagers are due in court, while a man needed staples to close a large wound on his head following an alleged machete attack.
A nightly curfew is now in place for the 17- and 16-year-old suspects, and each has been approved a charge of aggravated assault — with more potentially on the table.
After 6 p.m. on March 10, Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) were called to Burquitlam SkyTrain station where a man was seen being chased by two suspects, one of them carrying a large machete and allegedly swung it in his direction.
It's believed that the three all knew each other, explains MVTP spokesperson Const. Amanda Steed in a release today (March 31).
The man tried to use a pylon to protect himself, but was struck in the side of his head and left a deep laceration.
The two teens ran away and a witness called 911.
Paramedics took the victim to hospital to be treated for his injuries, which required staples in his head.
Transit officers obtained evidence in efforts to identify the suspects, who were eventually found later that night and arrested without incident.
Other charges, in addition to aggravated assault, are being recommended against the teens, including:
- Failure to comply with a court order
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of a controlled drug or substance for the purpose of trafficking
"This was a terrifying ordeal for everyone involved, and our officers put in a lot of work to make the arrests quickly," says Steed.
"However, we do not believe there is a risk to public safety."
Both suspects have been released until their next court appearance and names are not being released per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The arrests were made with help from Port Moody police (PMPD) and the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team.
Anyone with more information about this incident or other crimes on local transit is encouraged to call MVTP at 604-515-8300, text 87-77-77 or call 911 if it's an emergency.
