Police officer dodges attack by hatchet-wielding suspect

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      Less than two days after Vancouver police shot a man allegedly wielding a machete, another slashing tool is at the centre of a different altercation in another municipality.

      This time, it occurred in New Westminster.

      According to police in that city, the department received a call on August 8 from someone who said that they saw a man walking in the Brow of the Hill area with a hatchet.

      "A patrol officer quickly located the suspect and attempted to speak with him," the NWPD said in a news release. "However, the suspect raised the hatchet in a threatening manner and charged at the officer. The officer was able to avoid the suspect, who then fled the area."

      Other officers later apprehended a suspect and took him to jail.

      According to the news release, police are recommending charges related to assault of a police officer, obstruction, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

      Meawhile, a 48-year-old man, Ibrahim Abdela Bakhit, faces four counts of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection with alleged machete attacks on four people in a rooming house on Granville Street on August 6.

      None of the allegations against Bakhit have been proven in court.

      There are some distinct differences between hatchets and machetes, according to the Growitbuildit.com website.

      "A hatchet can be thought of as a small axe, that doubles as a hammer, and a knife," it states. "A machete is a slashing tool that can clear lots of brush efficiently, and be used as a light duty axe (on green wood). A hatchet and machete weigh about the same amount."

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