Two Vancouver police officers had to be taken to hospital Wednesday after an arrest near Sunset Beach got violent.
Officers were called to Pacific and Thurlow streets, about a block west of Vancouver Aquatic Centre, at around 5 p.m. by people who saw a man yelling and behaving erratically. According to police, witnesses said it appeared that the man was hallucinating.
Two officers responded and tried to take the man into custody.
One of the officers suffered multiple scratches to her face and head, and sustained an arm injury when the suspect tried to take her gun out of its holster. The second officer also sustained cuts and scratches, and was bitten on the finger.
A bystander intervened to try and help the officers but the suspect fled. He was arrested by additional officer following a brief foot pursuit, and after a taser was deployed.
The two injured officers were treated in hospital and later released.
The suspect, a 50-year-old Vancouver man, was also taken to hospital and assessed for injuries before being transported to jail.
Media relations officer Const. Steve Addison said police are recommending possible criminal charges, including assasuting a peace officer causing bodily harm, resisting arrest, escaping lawful custody and disarming a police officer.
This story has been updated since it was originally posted.
