A man has been arrested after a scary incident at a New Westminster restaurant on the long weekend.
Around 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, New West police attended a restaurant near Victoria Hill after receiving a 911 call.
“Officers learned that a suspect allegedly took a large knife from the kitchen area and was threatening individuals inside the restaurant,” said a press release from the New Westminster Police Department. “When officers arrived, they saw a man matching the suspect description leaving the restaurant with the knife. Officers spoke to the man, de-escalated the situation, and convinced him to drop the knife.”
According to the news release, a suspect followed police instructions and was arrested without incident.
“This suspect’s behavior caused people inside this restaurant considerable fear,” said NWPD media spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Leaver in a news release. “Staff did the right thing by not engaging the male directly and ensuring the personal safety of themselves and their patrons.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 and reference file 2023-10729.
“Police would like to connect with the patrons that were inside the restaurant who fled the area before police arrived,” said the NWPD news release. “It is important officers hear from them about what they saw and offer them the support of our Victim Assistance Unit.”
James Hamelin, 39, has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats and mischief.
