Prince George RCMP and B.C. Highway Patrol are extending their appreciation to several members of the public who recently stopped to assist a police officer who was being violently assaulted by a suspect.
On Saturday, March 25, shortly after 11:00 a.m., a B.C. Highway Patrol police officer conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle near the intersection of Highway 97 N and Tenth Avenue. During the vehicle stop, the suspect driver exited his vehicle and began assaulting the police officer. Three members of the public came to the police officer’s aid and assisted in helping him gain control of the suspect. They remained with the suspect until other police officers arrived at the location and placed the man under arrest.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to these individuals for their actions in this situation,”
said Inspector Darren Woroshelo, Officer in Charge of Northern B.C. Highway Patrol. “They undoubtedly prevented further injury from happening to our police officer, while risking their own safety to do so.”
The police officer was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries. The suspect, identified as 66-year-old Prince George resident, Robert Charles Waite, was also assessed at hospital before being transported to Prince George detachment cells.
The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the following charges:
- Aggravated assault
- Assaulting a peace officer x2
Waite was released back the community on a release order with a future court date.
This file is now before the courts.