Suspect charged with assaulting police officers in Cranbrook, B.C.

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A man in southeastern British Columbia is facing multiple charges, including two counts of assaulting a police officer, after he was arrested while reportedly brandishing a knife over the weekend.

Court records show Mohammad Abbas Wafa, born in 1994, was also charged with two counts of obstructing a police officer, and one count each of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief under $5,000.

A statement from the Cranbrook RCMP says officers received a mischief complaint near the intersection of 4th Street and 16th Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday.

A subsequent report indicated the same man was brandishing a knife in a threatening manner at a business on Victoria Avenue, the statement said.

Mounties caught up with the suspect and arrested him after he fled into a parking lot at the nearby Tamarack Mall, according to police.

“During the apprehension and subsequent processing, the male suspect is alleged to have assaulted the arresting officers, both of whom sustained injuries,” B.C. RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark said in the statement.

Wafa was held in custody pending a court appearance and has since been released with conditions ahead of his next scheduled court appearance on Feb. 3.

Anyone with information about the incidents who has not already spoken with investigators is asked to call the Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471.