A man has been charged with multiple offences following an incident investigated by Surrey RCMP and the New Westminster Police Department.

On October 26 at approximately 2:10 a.m., a New Westminster Police Department frontline officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with two male occupants in the uptown neighbourhood after observing the vehicle driving erratically. Suspicious damage was observed on the vehicle, and both men were arrested and taken into police custody without incident while the investigation unfolded.

During the investigation officers recovered a loaded firearm and learned that prior to the traffic stop, an incident had occurred in the parkade of a building in Surrey where a man allegedly threatened another with a firearm and shots were fired. No one was injured during this incident, and Surrey RCMP did not receive any reports or calls for service related to this incident.

Surrey RCMP General Investigation Section worked closely with New Westminster Police Department on this investigation.

On October 30, 34-year-old Kia Kaeni was charged with 12 offences including a number of firearms-related offences, kidnapping, uttering threats and assault.

“Thankfully no bystanders were injured during this incident”, said Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha, Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer. “This is a great example of police agencies working collaboratively to keep communities safe.”

“Our officer demonstrated exceptional courage and professionalism in a highly dangerous set of circumstances,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver of New Westminster Police Department. “In that instance he did not know if the occupants of the vehicle were going to comply with his instructions and it was initially unknown if the driver had a firearm. Thanks to his training and the cooperation of the driver, no one was injured during the arrest.”

As this matter is now before the courts, there will be no further details provided, police said.