Local RCMP say they arrested a man who was using bear spray as a human weapon.
Mounties said in a news release that on Aug. 18, at about 5:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a man bear spraying another man and then leaving the area on a black bike near Loggers Lane and Finch Drive.
When an officer arrived and began to arrest the man, the man bear sprayed the officer in the face and then tried to leave the area on his bike.
Second and third officers arrived to help finish the arrest. The man tried to fight and spray all three of them.
According to the release, the suspect ended up with minor injuries but refused the treatment police and medical staff offered.
The officer who was bear sprayed received treatment from paramedics at the scene.
The release states that the man has since been charged under the Criminal Code with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon and obstructing a peace officer.
Police released the man from custody with a court date.
"This was very disturbing, and there were both adults and kids gathering to see what was happening," said Cpl. Angela Kermer of the Sea to Sky RCMP, in the release.
"We're relieved people were not seriously hurt and thankful for community concern about the man and police officers."
Next steps for law enforcement will include continuing to try to identify and check on the first man who was bear sprayed. Police will also work to identify other witnesses who saw and captured what happened on devices or dash cameras, the release states.
Police said they would not be releasing the name of the man charged.
Squamish RCMP asks anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the local detachment at 604-892-6100, or, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to www.solvecrime.ca.
Quote police file: File 2022-5226
