The New Westminster Police has arrested and charged a 17 year-old youth for his participation during a swarming style assault.

On April 25 at 22:50 hours, the New Westminster Police responded to two separate incidents of swarming style assaults that had just occurred in the 1100 block of Ewen Avenue. A group of Indo-Canadian teen age males were observed running into traffic trying to provoke drivers to stop by kicking at their cars. A 53 year-old Queensborough resident was walking past the group of males when he was attacked from behind. Once he was knocked to the ground, he was repeatedly kicked and punched. The second assault occurred when a resident came out of his home to see what the commotion was about and he was then also attacked in the same viscous manner. The youths all fled when police attended.

The young offender and another male were apprehended a short distance away. He has been charged with Breach of Probation, Breach of Conditional Supervision Order, Assault Causing Bodily Harm and Uttering Threats.

Detectives are currently in the process in identifying the other assailants as well as investigating two other swarming style assaults that have occurred in Queensborough by what the victims have described as a group of Indo-Canadian teenage males. On March 29th shortly after midnight, 2 friends were walking home when they were “jumped.” A 21 year-old Queensborough male victim required facial surgery. On April 24th at 22:10 hours, a 48 year-old Queensborough resident was walking home from the local coffee shop when he was swarmed. He was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched. The victim pleaded with his assailants to stop because he had a family. One of his attackers stated “I know this guy” and then the group ran off. When the victim struggled home, he lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital and is recovering well.

Although these attacks are random in nature, residents of Queensborough can have confidence that the New Westminster Police will be making further arrests and charges in the very near future.