Vancouver police arrest man after road rage incident near Fraser and 45th; BB gun recovered
A 45-year-old man was arrested without incident Tuesday after allegedly pointing what appeared to be a handgun at a female driver during a road rage confrontation in South Vancouver.
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Vancouver police arrested a 45-year-old man without incident Tuesday after an alleged road rage confrontation that left a female driver frightened for her safety.
The incident occurred around noon near Fraser Street and East 45th Avenue in South Vancouver. According to the driver's account, a man in another vehicle tailgated her, passed on the left, then stopped in front of her car and approached her window. The driver reported he produced what appeared to be a black handgun and pointed it at her before driving away.
Vancouver Police Department surveillance and the Emergency Response Team located a suspect vehicle near Knight Street and East 57th Avenue. Officers observed a man matching the suspect description walking away from the parked vehicle. He discarded an object in the west lane of Knight Street near East 57th Avenue, returned to his vehicle, and drove away. The ERT disabled the vehicle about a block away, and officers took the man into custody without further incident. Police recovered a BB gun in the laneway where the object was discarded.
Rahat Arshad Ali, 45, has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence. He remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
"This was a frightening ordeal for a driver simply going about her day," said Constable Darren Wong of the Vancouver Police Department. "Thanks to the quick response and action of our officers, we were able to safely take the suspect into custody and recover the weapon."
The facts
When and where did the road rage incident occur?
The incident occurred around noon on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, near Fraser Street and East 45th Avenue in South Vancouver.
What weapon was recovered by police?
Police recovered a BB gun in the laneway near Knight Street and East 57th Avenue, where the suspect discarded it.
What charges has the suspect faced?
Rahat Arshad Ali, 45, has been charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence.
