5 arrested in Burnaby weapons complaint that prompted road closures: RCMP
Posted February 9, 2023 3:55 pm.
Last Updated February 13, 2023 3:22 pm.
Police in Burnaby say five people have been arrested in an incident that reportedly prompted business lockdowns and traffic closures Thursday afternoon.
The Burnaby RCMP says Mounties were called to an area near 1st Avenue and Gilmore Avenue around 11:30 a.m. for a “weapons complaint.”
Mounties say when officers got there, no one was injured, and officers found a group of suspects at a nearby home on Gravely Street.
Three men were initially arrested outside of the home, police say, while two other suspects stayed inside.
(CityNews Image)
Police say the Integrated Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team (IERT), police dog services, and RCMP officers “secured the scene,” which included restricting traffic.
Mounties say one female came out of the home and was arrested after police asked the remaining two suspects to come out.
But it was only after the IERT went into the building that the fifth suspect was arrested.
“This incident concluded with no injuries to the public or police and is currently still under investigation,” Cpl. Laura Hirst said in a news release.
The police presence promoted traffic issues, and although the roads have since opened up, Hirst says police will still be on-site.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience as officers secured the area for some time. Police will remain on scene as the investigation is ongoing.”
This photo submitted to CityNews shows a possible heavily armed emergency response team member on a rooftop in Burnaby. (Photo submitted to CityNews)
One caller from the area told CityNews that they were not allowed to leave their building, but police have not confirmed this.
Debbie Scott-Wright says at least one building was evacuated, and she says there were officers with guns on nearby rooves.
“There are snipers on the [roof] across the street,” Scott-Wright said. “We also have the snipers on our roof and all the rooves surrounding us.”
She says she also saw police officers, dogs, and electronic drones in the area.
Scott-Wright says she was told to stay inside her office building, which she says has since been rescinded.
-With files from Riley Phillips and Robyn Crawford
