An update came from RCMP late Wednesday afternoon that the young boy, who had to undergo surgery overnight, is in “critical, but stable” condition in the intensive care unit today.
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Roads were blocked off in Brookswood late into Tuesday night as police attempted to piece together a series of incidents that saw a boy on a bicycle struck by a car, a man bit by a dog, and at a few men taken into police custody.
An air ambulance was called off, but a 12-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in serious condition early in the evening, after an apparent break-in was interrupted and a chase ensued through Brookswood.
Police were reporting Wednesday morning that the boy remains in serious but stable condition in hospital.
Belmont principal Beth Cairnie confirmed for parents that it was a Grade 7 student at their school, noting he “will be okay” and while the family appreciates the support, they’re requests privacy at this time, even from the school community.
Curtis Video
Curtis Kreklau, on scene after the incident unfolded, reports that around 6 p.m. tonight (Tuesday) Langley RCMP received reports of a theft in progress in the Brookswood neighbourhood. Cpl. Holly Largy has since confirmed that.
“Investigation to this point suggests two males allegedly stole tools from a construction site in the 21100 block of 32nd Avenue. They were seen fleeing in a Mazda Tribute. A male in a Ford pickup truck gave chase and the two vehicles were reportedly driving through the residential area at a high rate of speed – both of them disobeying traffic control signage,” Largy said.
According to numerous witnesses who shared information on Facebook the vehicles were travelling at what’s described as high speed through the neigbourhood.
“”The vehicles were both travelling north on 204th Street and witnesses advised the [suspect vehicle] Tribute drove through the stop sign at 40th Avenue and struck the young boy on the bike. The Ford pickup rear-ended the Tribute and the occupants of the Tribute ran on foot.”
This incident happened across the street from Belmont Elementary and next to a bus stop.
Largy is reporting Wednesday morning that an off-duty police officer jogging in the area heard the collision and people yelling, and was able to arrest one of the suspects running from the scene.
Lower Mainland Police Dog Services attended to assist in locating the second suspect, who was tracked to a residential yard in the 4000 block of 204B St.
Mounties confirm that charges have been recommended against two Langley men, ages 52 and 33.
RCMP closed off much of the area while they investigated the incident.
“Many witnesses in the area have been interviewed and police continue to document this complex investigation,” she said, asking anyone with information, who has yet to speak to police, to call the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.
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Neighbours share what they say
In the minutes and hours following the incident, Brookswood residents took to Facebook comparing notes on the incident.
Roger Keizer reported seeing three trucks “ripping down my street just before. Doing at least 120.”
Aaron Faulkner chimed in: “They flew down our street 37A just before the accident. I’d say they were doing close to 100K when they went by my house.”
Paramjeet Cheema reported: “Theft, chase, and kid is badly hurt… Thank god he was wearing a helmet… just pray for him.”
On Facebook, Brookswood’s Amanda Heemels also added: “two men stole chainsaws and tools from a job site down the road, hopped in their car and the owners chased them around in their pickups.”
She went on to say “The men hit a boy on a bike, ditched the car and ran on foot. One ended up in my yards and the other in the neighbours.”
Heemels apparently had a close encounter, calling it a “crazy night” at her house.
“An off-duty cop took the one and the cop dog found the other hiding 30 min later,” she said. “I have never heard a grown man scream like a little girl… serves him right! The cops and ambulance just left my house, as he needed to be treated for his dog bites. I hope that boy is okay?”
Brookswood’s Jane Harper added: “The cars flew down my street… I thought OMG… this is not going to end well! Hoping the child who was hit will be okay! So scary!”
Emily Taylor shared a number of pictures and said: “Awesome job and thank you to our first responders!”
Sarah Graham-Dinwoodie drove past the incident, after the fact: “I… just saw the poor boy laying in the middle of the road right after it happened. He was I’m guessing early teens. Pray he will be ok. Poor kid caught in the middle of this.”
Melissa Shaw Wilson saw some of it unfolding: “I saw those losers go speeding down my road tonight. I will pray for that young boy that was hit. I’ve had enough of the low life bums in this area.”
Among the hundreds of posts lighting up the community Facebook page, there were many well wishes for the cyclist and his family.
Aleisha Crampton, for instance, posted: “So sad – prayers to the family. I saw the aftermath and it was horrible. I know Brookswood has gotten bad but chasing the crooks down in residential neighbourhoods is obviously not the answer either. An innocent life is not worth some tools.”
