Man who grabbed child on Surrey, B.C., school playground charged: RCMP

SURREY, B.C. – Charges of hostage taking, uttering threats and possession of a dangerous weapon have been laid against a man who police say grabbed a child on a school playground in Surrey, B.C.

Omar Hassan faces six charges after he was arrested Thursday afternoon during a confrontation with police when he was jolted by aTaser.

RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet says the quick actions of the officers involved to moderate the situation were essential to a safe conclusion.

He says that for an officer, nothing is more rewarding than safely getting a child out of harm’s way.

Hassan, who remains in custody, is also charged with unlawful confinement, kidnapping and failing to comply with a probation order.

Police say officers talked Hassan into releasing the child at the elementary school.