The Prince George RCMP and BC Highway Patrol are extending their gratitude towards a group of people who jumped in to help an officer in a tough situation over the weekend.
According to police, the BCHP officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Hwy 97 N and 10th Avenue shortly after 11 am Saturday.
During the stop, the suspect driver allegedly exited his vehicle and “violently assaulted” the officer, the RCMP said.
It was then that three members of the public came to the officer’s aid and assisted him gain control of the suspect.
They remained with the suspect until police backup could arrive at the scene and place the man under arrest.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to these individuals for their actions in this situation,” said Insp. Darren Woroshelo. “They undoubtedly prevented further injury from happening to our police officer, while risking their own safety to do so.”
The officer was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries. The suspect, now identified as 66-year-old Prince George resident Robert Charles Waite, was assessed at hospital before being transported to jail.
The BC Prosecution Service has since approved a charge of aggravated assault and two charges of assaulting a peace officer against Waite.
The RCMP says Waite has been “released back into the community” on a release order with a future court date.
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