AT approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Richmond RCMP responded to reports that an irate male was smashing vehicles and threatening people near the onramp to Highway 99 at Steveston Highway.

Initial reports alleged that the man was throwing a compressed air tank at vehicles and threatening bystanders. Frontline officers encountered an extremely irate man who threatened to use the metal tank as a weapon against them.

The 56-year-old Richmond man was subsequently apprehended under Section 28 of the Mental Health Act and transported to a local hospital.

The investigation remains ongoing.  Criminal charges may be considered at a later date, police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, and who may have video evidence of it, is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212, quoting file number 2022-19901.