In recent months New Westminster Police members have had several encounters with a Gary Wayne Templeton age 44. These encounters were escalating in nature and have involved a Starbucks Robbery, violent unprovoked attacks against police officers on two occasions as well as other incidents.

Due to the escalating level of violence, the New Westminster Police Criminal Intelligence Unit began an investigation. It was determined that this male has been wanted for breach of probation by the Calgary Police Service since 2003. The result of the investigation was the transfer of Gary Wayne TEMPLETON to the custody of Calgary Police on the morning of August 24th after a short plane ride under escort. The New Westminster Police Service will continue to pursue, arrest, and return fugitives from justice wanted in other provinces who pose a risk to any citizens of this city.

On Sunday August 21st at 1657 Hours, patrol officers attended Queens Park on report of a City Parks worker discovering a large snake near the Arenex. At scene, the officers located the four foot long, orange and yellow snake in the bushes. The officers managed to coax the snake into a large plastic container without harm to the snake or the officers.

The snake was transported to the City Animal Control facility. The snake was identified as being a non-venomous Corn snake. The snake is in all probability someone’s pet that may have escaped. Anyone who has information regarding the snake is asked to please contact the New Westminster Animal Control office at 604-519-2008

Date of Event 2011-07-30
Time of Event 23:49 Hours

• A New Westminster Police officer was on routine patrol driving the large police van through Queens Park
• A casually dressed male and female walking in the park flagged down our officer to tell him that there was a black male in the park by the picnic tables that was crying hysterically.
• The police officer drove to a parking area next to Centennial Lodge and began walking towards the picnic area to try and help this distraught male.
• As he approached he could hear a male “bawling” over by the picnic tables. Visibility was almost zero in this area with the weather this evening and a total lack of light.
• When the officer was approximately 25 feet from the covered picnic area he used his flashlight to illuminate the male who had his face in his hands crying very hard.
• The officer spoke to the male informing him that it was the police.
• Certainly the mindset of the officer was that of trying to help a citizen during a period of crisis.
• It was at this point that the situation turned very bad, very fast.
• The male described as a
  • black male
  • 25 to 30 years old,
  • 6’ 4” approximately and very muscular
  • With no shirt on but wearing black and green camoflauge cargoshorts white socks and white Nike runners with a dark swoosh.
  • The officer described also described the hairstyle as being dark with a “FADE” on the right side. This description has since been clarified since the officers understanding of a “FADE” is somewhat different from other persons believed the description would look.

• At this point the male stood up and without any warning immediately ran at the officer. The officer had no time to react as the male punched out striking the officer in the abdominal area hard enough to almost wind him.
• The officer immediately defended himself and took the man to ground and struck the man in the face.
• The officer believes that he may have broken this males’ nose or a very least caused it to bleed.
• To this point the officer had no idea a knife was involved.
• When the officer was on top of the male he finally noticed a knife in his hand. The officer disengaged to put some distance between them.
• The male took the opportunity to drop the knife and get up and flee with the officer in foot pursuit.
• The male was last seen near the intersection of 6 avenue and McBride.
• Despite a joint effort by our officers , officers from surrounding jurisdictions, the police helicopters and police dogs this male was not located.

• Actual injuries to the officer this evening consisted of a slash to the left side of his face requiring multiple stitches.
• I want to emphasize the life threatening nature of the incident. Our officer is a fairly large man who was attacked in an unprovoked fashion. Fortunately he was able to stop the threat. This might not have been the same end result if the victim was either an unarmed citizen or a smaller officer. We as police are always at a disadvantage during most episodes of violence since we can only react after the fact. An individual that chooses to attack an officer has an advantage. Only he knows what his intent when we first approach, an innocent encounter for us can turn deadly very fast. It is so fortunate that safety equipment worked in the fashion that it was supposed to.

PUBLIC APPEAL

• We still want to locate and speak to the man and woman who originally flagged down our officer.
• Anyone that may know who the male is who attacked our officer is asked to call our Tips Line.
• Or anyone with information who can help with this crime is asked to call our Tips line at 604 529-2430

I want to send a message to the individual involved that we are looking
for…Turn yourself in, your description is unique and someone out there
will know you. We will find you so it is much preferred that you take
responsibility for your actions and come and talk to our investigators.

In the late evening hours of August 1, 2011 a verbal/physical altercation between acquaintances resulted in a male victim being shot. The Victim received non-life threatening injuries, was treated at hospital and subsequently released. The Victim is co-operating with the Police Investigation. The suspect at this time remains at large but efforts are currently underway to locate and arrest the male suspect who has been positively identified.

A Detective from New Westminster Police Major Crime Section was in Queens Park on Sunday just after mid day when he observed a Nissan pulling in to the parking lot. The Nissans front end was severely damaged and the front wheel was running on metal against the pavement. The Detective approached the driver to investigate just as Surrey RCMP was reporting that a similarly described vehicle had just been involved in a head on collison at the south end of the Patullo Bridge and fled the scene. The driver, a 36 year old Delta resident, was brought to the New Wesminster Police Station for breathalyzer tests. Readings of almost four times the legal limit resulted. Criminal charges of impared driving are being recommended. Surrey RCMP have assumed responsibility for the investigation as it continues with respect to the collision.

New Westminster police wish to remind everyone that all of our officers will be vigilant to watch for impaired drivers regardless of the time of day. If you wish to drink then plan a safe ride home before you drive.