Man facing charges after threatening bystanders with knife
By Kyra Hoggan
A man is in Nelson Police Department prison after allegedly “going berserk,” assaulting strangers and brandishing a knife in the Heritage city Wednesday night.
“At approximately 7:45 p.m., a worker at the Greyhound station in Nelson heard pounding on the wall of the station,” said Nelson police Sgt. Paul Burkart. “He went outside (and) without any provocation, a male passenger who was standing outside waiting for the bus … punched the employee in the face. “The male according to witnesses, then went berserk. The male is believed to have assaulted a female, who was also at that location waiting for the bus. He approached a truck parked in the back mall parking lot and kicked it. The male then threatened a couple walking in the area.” This was not, however, the end of the violent spree, Burkart said.
“He ran from the mall towards Lakeside Park fields, which was very busy at the time of this incident. The male noticed several people following him, so he turned towards them, removed a knife from a sheath strapped on his belt and threatened to kill them,” Burkart continued.
“As police arrived on scene, the male hid himself in the bushes at the west end of Lakeside Park fields. Police were directed into his location by several bystanders, who also warned police that the male had a large knife. The male was not visible, but police could notice some movement in the low lying bushes. “Police attempted to have the male come out of his location, but the male would not comply with police commands. After several minutes, the male ran from the bushes and down the path and out onto Lakeside fields. Police chased the male on foot out onto the fields where the male was intercepted and taken to the ground and arrested. A large hunting style knife was removed from a sheath on the male’s belt.” A 23-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested and was found to have an extensive criminal record and to be wanted on warrants from Ontario. He is now in police custody and will appear in Nelson court today. Police are recommending charges of assault, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, mischief, and uttering threats.
