If you were driving around No. 5 Road and Blundell Road yesterday, you may have noticed a little extra traffic due to a police incident. Richmond RCMP have revealed they responded to a possible firearms call around 12 p.m. from a business located near Sweden Way and Bridgeport Road on Wednesday.
The incident began when a male in his mid-20s allegedly pulled out a pistol when confronted by a loss prevention officer. At around 12:15, Mounties completed a tactical take-down near No. 5 and Blundell, after the suspect fled in what was believed to be a car-jacked, early model 2000 Ford pickup truck. The owner of the car was still inside.
Both the suspect, 26-year-old Amanpreet Singh, and a male in his 60s are Richmond residents and were taken into custody. There were no shots fired and no injuries reported.
Following a police search, the pistol was determined to be a BB-gun. A small amount of a substance RCMP believes is an illicit drug was also found.
The 60-year-old male was the registered owner of the pickup truck and was released from police custody without charge. Singh has been charged with one count of breach of probation, one count of robbery and one count of use of an imitation firearm during the commission of an offence.
“Anytime our officers are confronted with firearm related calls for service, our approach is extremely measured and public safety of the utmost importance,” said Corporal Dennis Hwang in a press release. “We consider any firearm a real and genuine threat to officer safety, unless proven otherwise.
“We are pleased that our officers were resolve this high risk situation quickly and without injury or loss of life.”
Police are continuing their investigation.
