ON July 22 at approximately 2 a.m., New Westminster Police received a call from someone saying an unknown man had held a firearm against his neck and threatened to harm him.

The caller had fled the Hyack Square area and provided a very detailed description of the suspect which allowed police to quickly locate someone matching the same description.

When officers arrested the suspect he had an imitation firearm in his possession.

“This victim did the right thing which included fleeing the area and calling 9-1-1,” said Sgt. Justine Thom.

“Being threatened with a weapon is extremely serious and we encourage anyone who finds themselves in that kind of a situation to call 9-1-1 without delay.”

New Westminster Police Department officers will be recommending the charges of one count each of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and fail to comply with a probation order.

The New Westminster Police Department said it would like to impress upon victims to always call 9-1-1 even if they have not been physically harmed after being threatened with a weapon.

These are serious incidents and reporting these allow police to intervene as well as help prevent future instances of violence that may escalate in severity.