One youth was arrested Friday night, Jan. 24, for assaulting an officer at a gathering of 200 street racers near Gloucester Way in Langley.
On Friday, just after 11 p.m., officers responded to a complaint of a motor vehicle incident in the area, only to arrive on scene to find about 200 young people gathered to street race.
An officer on scene issued several traffic violation tickets, reads a press release from the B.C. RCMP, and was "in the process of having a vehicle towed when the crowd became unruly."
"The office radioed for back-up just as another 16-year-old male obstructed and interfered with the officer’s investigation during the lawful execution of his duties," according to the release.
Despite "multiple instructions" to stand down, the teen rushed at police and officers were "forced to deploy a conducted energy weapon."
"A few bystanders also interfered with the lawful arrest of the youth. Officers repeatedly asked them to stand back, however they refused. Officers then deployed pepper spray to disperse them from the area in order to safely arrest the suspect," reads the release.
The 16-year-old was arrested and placed into a marked police vehicle, but members of the crowd managed to release the teen from the vehicle.
"The suspect didn’t get far after the Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS) arrived, locating him after a short dog track.
The 16-year-old is now facing several charges, including assault of a police officer.
Supt. Harm Dosange, the new Officer-in-Charge of the Langley RCMP, said the incident is extremely concerning from a public safety perspective.
"The fact that these youth believed it was okay to obstruct police officers in the lawful execution of their duties, is unacceptable,” Dosange said.
“This behaviour is deeply troubling. I can assure our citizens that the Langley RCMP will be increasing patrols and employing traffic enforcement around the community where these activities are taking place.”
He added that street racers put the public and police at significant risk.
Dosange also extended his thanks to the Abbotsford Police for their assistance.
A video has been circulating online allegedly of the Friday night incident, but Black Press Media has been unable to verify its origins or confirm if it was of the same night.
Langley RCMP also could not comment on the videos due to a minor being charged in relation to Friday night, nor confirm if the video is of that incident.
Anyone with information or video of the incident are asked to contact the Langley RCMP at 604-530-3252.
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