New West police seek witnesses after man arrested with handgun-shaped lighter

Police in New Westminster are seeking witnesses after a man was arrested with a lighter shaped like a handgun.

On Wednesday, officers say they responded to a call around 7:30 a.m. from someone who witnessed a man and woman arguing near the intersection of Carnarvon Street and Eigth Street. The witness reportedly feared for the woman’s safety as they believed the man posessed a handgun.

The suspect was later located by police on the Columbia SkyTrain platform after multiple transit users reported seeing what they thought was a handgun. After police arrested two suspects, it was determined that the supposed weapon was actually a handgun-shaped butane lighter.

“We’re in the early stages of this investigation,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver stated.

“When someone brandishes something that looks like a handgun in a public setting, they’re putting themselves and everyone around them at risk. In the interest of public safety, we treat any suspected firearm as real.”

Police are asking anyone with information to call 604-525-5411.