Ryan Michael Harker of Langley, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, has been arrested and charged with multiple firearm offences, police say.
Police in Surrey were patrolling the 9100-block of King George Boulevard early Nov. 18 when they recognized Harker “from a previous incident.”
The 42-year-old man was wanted on multiple warrants from Delta and Langley. Surrey RCMP arrested him and found a loaded firearm on him at the time.
Harker was one of two people arrested by Delta police in a stolen SUV back in February of 2021 in the area of 96 Avenue and 128 Street in Surrey.
“A subsequent search revealed evidence linking one of the individuals to drug trafficking,” Acting Insp. James Sandberg, public affairs manager for the Delta Police Department, stated in a news release Wednesday (Nov. 22).
Harker was released pending investigation.
Seven months later, in September 2021, charges against Harker were filed for possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
“Subsequently, an additional 26 months have elapsed since the charges were approved, and as of now, trial dates still have not been scheduled. The significant delay between the date of the original offence and the yet-to-be-scheduled trial raises concerns for public safety,” Sandberg stated.
In addition to the original charges, Harker is now charged with “five firearms-related offences, one count of obstruction and one count of breach of release order,” Cst. Parmbir Kahlon, Surrey RCMP media relations officer, stated in a news release Wedneday (Nov. 22).
He remains in police custody awaiting his next court appearance.
“Thankfully no bystanders were injured during the incident,” Kahlon stated. “This is a great example of proactive police work resulting in the arrest of an individual to keep our community safe. “