Image: Langley RCMP were obstructed by a crowd during an illegal racing event, leading to an arrest and the deployment of non-lethal weapons. / Pattison Media / File

By Alyssa Conti

ILLEGAL RACING

Youth arrested after police obstruction in Langley street racing incident

Jan 25, 2025 | 3:57 PM

LANGLEY — A teenager is facing several charges, including assaulting a police officer, after some Friday night mayhem at an illegal racing event.

On January 24, just after 11 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a motor vehicle incident complaint near Gloucester Way. An officer who arrived on scene said there were roughly 200 young people in the area who participated in street racing and stunting.

The crowd became unruly while the officer issued several traffic violation tickets and worked to get a vehicle towed.

According to an RCMP release, when the officer radioed for back-up, a 16-year-old male “interfered with the officer’s investigation during the lawful execution of his duties” and “rushed at police” even after multiple instructions to stand down. A conducted energy weapon, or a taser, was deployed afterwards.

A few bystanders were also reported to interfere with the arrest. The RCMP release has noted that officers “repeatedly asked them to stand back”, but the bystanders refused. Pepper-spray was deployed to disperse the crowd, safely arrest the suspect and place him in a marked police car.

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The story did not end there, though.

Members of the crowd managed to get the youth out of the marked vehicle, but he was not able to get too far before the police found him using a short dog track.

“This behaviour is deeply troubling,” said Superintendent Harm Dosange, the Officer-in-Charge of Langley RCMP Detachment. “I can assure our citizens that the Langley RCMP will be increasing patrols and employing traffic enforcement around the community where these activities are taking place.”

Gloucester Way is one of three areas known to Langley Township for its street racing. 272 Street and 275 Street were also mentioned at a council meeting in Fall last year.

In September 2024, Township council voted to look at anti-racing measures for Gloucester Industrial Estates, but disruption to larger truck traffic would have to be minimized.

Langley RCMP is continuing to gather video and evidence on the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 604-532-3252.

by Alyssa Conti

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Youth arrested after police obstruction in Langley street racing incident

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