New Westminster police, ERT arrest ‘barricaded suspect’

The intersection of Queens Avenue and 7th Street in New Westminster is seen after the police incident wrapped up Saturday morning.

A large police presence in New Westminster early Saturday morning was due to a “barricaded suspect,” according to local police.

New Westminster Police Department officers were responding to an unrelated call in the 700 block of Queens Avenue around 2 a.m. when one “observed a male exiting a residence with a firearm,” the department said in a news release.

“Police called out to the suspect who went back inside the residence and would not acknowledge patrol members' attempts to negotiate his surrender,” the release reads.

Because the suspect refused to exit, the heavily armed Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team was called in to assist with the arrest effort.

The NWPD said the suspect was “located inside the residence” and taken into custody “without incident” around 9 a.m.

“We’re still in the early stages of this investigation, but there is no ongoing risk to the public,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver, in the release.

Police thanked neighbours for their patience during the hours-long incident.