A RCMP officer was shot at while attempting to stop a van early Monday in Maple Ridge.

The officer tried to pull over the white older-model Chevrolet van for a routine traffic stop on Wicklow Way around 1:17 a.m. when a man inside pulled out a gun.

RCMP Sgt. Rob Lemon said the routine nature of the event quickly changed as soon as the officer was fired upon.

The gun shot did not hit the police officer or vehicle.

The driver of the van refused to pull over.

The officer pursued the van as it headed into downtown Maple Ridge and turned towards North Avenue.

Police used a spike belt to disable the van, which eventually came to a stop near St. Anne Avenue and 224th Street.

A man who lives in an apartment nearby said up to seven police cars blocked off the white van, but the driver jumped out and ran towards the Northumberland Court townhouse complex on Fraser Street.

Officers were able to arrest a passenger in the van and held him overnight for a court appearance. Several charges, including weapons offences, are being recommended to Crown prosecutors.

More than 30 watches stolen from a Maple Ridge business on Sunday night were found in his possession.

A police service dog was unable to locate the van's driver, who fled on foot.

Lemon said the man who was arrested is not co-operating with investigators.

Police have not yet recovered the gun, but the forensic identification section and investigators continue to pursue leads.

• Anyone with information on the driver of the van is asked to call RCMP at 604-463-6351 or leave an anonymous tip by calling CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

mmartins@mapleridgenews.com