Man charged with assaulting police after allegedly coughing on officers

COQUITLAM, B.C. — Police say a 24-year-old man from Coquitlam, B.C., has been charged with assaulting a police officer after allegedly coughing towards three officers during an arrest.

RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin says the man was arrested while police were investigating an alleged break and enter on Monday.

He says the suspect was arrested less than an hour after a home was broken into and, as part of a new COVID-19 protocol, was asked if he was feeling sick or had any symptoms.

When the man confirmed he was sick, McLaughlin says the officers asked him to face away from them.

In a news release on Wednesday, McLaughlin says the man “allegedly turned his head towards three officers and purposefully coughed in their faces.”

The man has also been charged with break and enter, and theft under $5,000.

Police say the man has been remanded until his next court appearance on April 15.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 8, 2020.

The Canadian Press