New West man facing charges after allegedly assaulting police in North Vancouver

Police say a man is in custody after he allegedly drove recklessly through North Vancouver, crashed a van, and attempted to disarm an RCMP officer Friday night.

The North Vancouver RCMP says it responded to reports of an erratic driver on Highway 1 near Mountain Highway around 9 p.m. on Aug. 23.

Mounties caught up to the suspected vehicle near East 13th Street and St. Georges Avenue. They tried to perform a traffic stop on the driver of a red Dodge Caravan, but he didn’t pull over.

“Due to increased public safety concerns, officers did not pursue the vehicle,” the RCMP said.

Police tracked the driver to Lonsdale Avenue and West 22nd Street where he “crashed into the sidewalk.”

The man reportedly ran from the crash on foot and was chased by police. Before they were able to arrest him, he attempted to disarm an officer, and one officer was injured and sent to hospital in the scuffle.

Police say the officer was later released from hospital.

Later that night, charges were approved for a 45-year-old, New Westminster man.

Benjamin Kohlman is charged with:

• One count of dangerous operation of motor vehicle,
• One count of flight from a peace officer,
• One count of failure to stop at scene of accident,
• One count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer,
• One count of disarming a peace officer,
• Two counts of assault on a peace officer,

The RCMP says Kohlman is being held until his next court appearance Monday.

“The investigation is still ongoing and officers are looking to speak to anyone who was in the area of Highway 1 and Mountain Highway, East Keith Road at Queensbury Avenue, East 13th Street and St. Georges Avenue and may have witnessed anything,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak.

Witnesses, or those with dascham footage to submit are asked to call 604-985-1311 and quote file number 24-17214.