Surrey RCMP officer stabbed during arrest

The Surrey RCMP says an officer is recovering after being stabbed during the arrest of a suspect in connection with an alleged vehicle theft.

Police say it happened near a U-Haul storage facility on 186th Street near 96th Avenue Tuesday while they were trying to arrest a man and a woman.

“This is when the man who was being arrested allegedly stabbed one of the officers when they were trying to take him into custody,” said spokesperson Corp. Sarbjit Sangha.

The officer sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released.

28-year-old Donald Smith is facing several charges, including assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm. 35-year-old Tia Appleton has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Smith remains in custody and Appleton has been released with conditions. Both have a court date of Nov. 26.

Sangha says this incident is just an example of the dangers officers face daily.

“Anytime our officers make an attempt to arrest anybody, regardless of what the offence is, there’s always risk the person who’s being arrested will either fight back or they might have weapons on them,” she said.

Sangha says officers are trained to do a risk assessment as they approach a suspect, but danger still exists.

“As they say, that’s what you signed up for, but at the end of the day, we want our officers to come home to their families, and still protect the community,” she said.

Smith remains in custody and Appleton has been released with conditions. Both have a court date of Nov. 26.

With files from Maria Vinca.