AbbyPD (Image Credit: Image: AbbyPD)

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Illegal border crossing

Border runner caught south of Abbotsford

Jan 29, 2026 | 7:37 AM

ABBOTSFORD – Police in Abbotsford say a suspect who crossed illegally into Canada south of Abbotsford Wednesday night has been turned over to federal authorities.

The AbbyPD says its patrol officers were dispatched to an area near Zero Avenue and Mount Lehman Road just before 9 p.m. Wednesday night, for the report of a border runner.

A police service dog assisted in the arrest, and the male suspect has been turned over to Canada Border Services Agency.

In a separate incident, police say a man became assaultive toward an officer while being arrested for shoplifting Wednesday night in the 2800 block of Gladwin Road.

According to a statement from AbbyPD spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker, officers responded to a reported shoplifting in progress in the 2800 block of Gladwin Road just after 9 p.m. Wednesday night (Jan. 28).

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Officers arrived moments later and saw the suspect exit the store still in possession of the stolen property. When one of the AbbyPD officers approached the man and advised him that he was under arrest, he allegedly became assaultive. As a result, additional officers were asked to assist.

During the struggle, OC spray (pepper spray) was deployed to help take the suspect safely into custody.

“Our officers encounter unpredictable situations every day,” Sgt. Walker said. “What started as a routine shoplifting report quickly escalated due to the suspect assaultive behaviour, but the professionalism, training and quick response of our officers helped bring the incident under control without anyone being harmed.”

The suspect was arrested and now faces criminal charges.

Officers also removed four impaired drivers from the road and arrested another individual on an outstanding warrant Wednesday night.

Throughout the night, officers conducted visible patrols and completed a high visibility road check as part of ongoing enforcement efforts under Operation Community Shield.