A police hunting for a knife-weilding assailant was short-lived tonight, following an altercation behind the liquor store of Meadowtown Centre.

Ridge Meadows RCMP received a call just after 7 p.m. Thursday of a stabbing on the east edge of the parking lot of the large Pitt Meadows shopping centre.

Police, firefighters, and paramedics were all dispatched.

One man was found with multiple stab wounds. He was described as being in serious, but likely not life-threatening condition, as he was able to talk to emergency responders on scene.

Nevertheless, an air ambulance helicopter was called in to transport the man to hospital.

Fortunately, within minutes the owners of a few cars in the parking lot immediately in front of the liquor store were located, and an area was quickly cleared to accommodate the helicopter landing, said Pitt Meadows assistant fire chief Rob Chatton.

While ambulance and fire crew members focused their attention on the victim, local Mounties began searching for an assailant. Police confirmed a short time later that a suspect had been picked up and was in custody awaiting questioning in the matter.

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