Police swarm Metro Vancouver SkyTrain station after report of teen with firearm

Police located and arrested the suspect without incident before determining the handgun was a replica, the New Westminster Police Department said in a news release. (Handout)

Police in New Westminster, B.C., say a 16-year-old was arrested after reportedly dropping a replica handgun outside a busy SkyTrain station.

Officers swarmed the area surrounding the Columbia SkyTrain Station at 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 7 after a 911 caller reported seeing the boy drop the pistol and then pick it up, tucking it into the waistband of his pants.

Police located and arrested the suspect without incident before determining the handgun was a replica, the New Westminster Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

“This file remains under active investigation,” the release said. “The New Westminster Police Department is again urging the public to stop and consider the dangers of replica or imitation firearms which can lead to criminal charges when used improperly.”

The department says any call involving a report of a firearm is treated as a serious incident until investigators can determine otherwise.

“We’d like to thank the person who called 911,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in a statement. “If you ever see anything that causes you concern for the safety of others, we ask that you make the call.”