The New Westminster Police have been requested by the Vancouver Police Department to conduct an investigation into the actions of a VPD constable who pushed a woman on Hasting Street, along with the actions of the two constables who accompanied him.

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has also been advised that the New Westminster Police will be assuming this investigation.

New Westminster Police are investigating a residential Break and Enter that occurred on the 9th of July 2010 in New Westminster where a wallet was stolen. The ongoing investigation has identified a person of interest and therefore the public’s assistance is requested in identifying this person. Included is a still photograph taken at a convenience store and depicts this person of interest in this case. If any person can identify this individual they are asked to contact Cst Matt Robson at New Westminster Police at 604 525-5411.

Early Saturday morning two uniformed officers from the New Westminster Police Service were leaving the police building,and heading just across the street for a coffee. As they left the front door of the New Westminster Police office they encountered a 43 year old male with whom pleasantries and greetings were exchanged. A short time later, as both uniformed New Westminster officers were inside the coffee shop and were speaking with the Barista this same gentleman came into the store. This male walked directly to the employee operating the till and loudly demanded money. He then threw a large drink can at the employee, narrowly missing him. The officers looked at each other in disbelief and amazement prior to taking the male into custody. The male was arrested for Robbery and Assault, and transported back to cells. The male was remanded in to custody for the weekend and will appear in proviincial court this morning.

On July 24, 2010 at 01:00 a.m. the New Westminster Fire Service responded to an apartment fire at 352 Hospital Street. The suite in question is a corner unit situated on the top floor of the three story building. No one was inside of the suite at the time of the fire. There were no injuries suffered as a result of the fire, however several occupants within the building have been displaced. The New Westminster Police Victim Services Unit is working with the occupants of the apartment building to find them temporary accommodation while the investigation continues and the damage is assessed.

The New Westminster Police Service Major Crime Unit was called in to assist the fire department in determining the cause of the fire. An initial investigation has been conducted by the police service and although the investigation continues there is at this time no indication the fire is suspicious in nature.

At approximately 10:00am on July 22nd, 2010, the New Westminster Police attended an apartment in the unit block of Clute St, New Westminster. The Police were dispatched to assist a Court Bailiff with carrying out a court order. The resident refused to answer the door although he acknowledged the Police and Bailiff were attempting to execute the court order. The 62 year old male barricaded himself inside the apartment and when entry to the apartment was gained, he barricaded himself in a room within the apartment. The Municipal Emergency Response Team (MIERT) was dispatched to assist. Through the use of negotiators, the male was taken into custody at approximately 1730hrs.

For information, please contact media liaison, Bruce Carrie 604-529-2425.

Shortly before 9:00 A.M. on the 15th of July 2010 New Westminster Police were called to the 100 block of Park Row. A male had just been confronted by a local resident after being found inside a vehicle that did not belong to him. On Police arrival, this male who was already departing the area now began to run to avoid capture. A foot pursuit followed with the suspect being taken in to custody in the 100 block of Agnes Street. He appears in New Westminster Provincial Court today.

Michael Douglas OBRIEN, of Vancouver, Age 30 years is charged with the following offences:

Possession of Break in Tools and Attempted Theft.
In addition, two charges relating to breaching a recognizance of bail have also been approved by Vancouver Crown Counsel.

OBRIEN is known to police but specifically for a pursuit and collision with a stolen vehicle that killed an Auxiliary Constable and seriously injured an RCMP member in Vernon several years ago.

The New Westminster Police Service invites all media outlets to attend the New Westminster Police station, located at 555 Columbia Street, on Friday July 9th at 10:00 o’clock in the morning for an important media release.

On June 20th, 1996, three year old Megan Gunderson was fatally injured when she was struck by a vehicle in front of her residence at 239 Pembina Street. The suspect vehicle driver failed to remain at the scene.

Although a potential suspect driver was identified early in the investigation, police investigators eliminated that person as the driver of the vehicle in the fatal incident. Despite the continuing efforts of police investigators, a suspect driver has not been identified.

Recently, police investigators have received information from an anonymous tipster that has proven invaluable to the investigation. Our investigators need that tipster to contact us again. The information that they possess is crucial to this investigation.

On July 9th, the New Westminster media liaison officer will brief the media on the Gunderson investigation and its current status including a request for our tipster to contact our investigators.

Megan’s parents, Melanie and Craig Gunderson, will also be present and will speak to their loss of Megan and issue a message to the suspect driver.  An enlarged photograph of Megan and the suspect vehicle, a 1990’s red Dodge Caravan or Plymouth Voyager, will be present for media opportunities. 

 *** Megan Gunderson Tip’s Line 604-529-2430

Megan Gunderson

Suspect vehicle is similar to the one shown above.