Vancouver police officer cut during shoplifting call

Vancouver police say an officer’s hand was sliced by a large knife while they were trying to arrest a shoplifting suspect Tuesday.

Const. Tania Visintin explains police were called to the Canadian Tire on Cambie Street — just two blocks away from the VPD station — around 6:30 p.m. for reports that a man was seen walking out of the store with a sleeping bag worth about $400 without paying.

“Store security confronted this man and a struggle ensued between the man and security. Ultimately, VPD officers were called, our officers arrived on scene, and they were able to gain control of the suspect,” she told CityNews.

Visintin says while the arrest was taking place, “there was a brief struggle,” during which an officer’s hand was cut by a knife “that the suspect had around his chest.”

“It was kind of across his body on him, and as the officer was gaining control of this man, he poked himself with the knife,” she added.

Visintin says the officer’s injuries were minor, adding he walked away with some stitches.

“What we’re seeing more and more is people having weapons on him. In this capacity, it wasn’t actually used but this man did have a weapon on him, and that’s something that we’ve seen in calls that we go to all over the city,” she explained.

Leonard Patrick Staley, 60, is facing several charges in connection with this incident, including theft under $5,000, assault, uttering threats, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.