The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) says it is investigating a series of linked incidents that took place on Halloween involving multiple assaults.

Police say that shortly before 7:30 p.m., they received reports of three suspects assaulting a man riding a bicycle on Front Street, west of Begbie Street.

“Witnesses reported seeing the suspects leave the area with the victim’s bicycle before disappearing from view,” the NWPD said.

“Officers conducted extensive patrols but were initially unable to locate either the victim nor the suspects.”

Shortly afterward, officers were called to another incident in the same area, after a man had been shot in the face with what appeared to be a rubber pellet gun.

“The man suffered a cut to the head but did not cooperate with investigators,” police said.

While at the scene, police say they determined the injured man was a suspect in the earlier assault.

“He was detained, transported to hospital for treatment, and later released pending further investigation,” according to NWPD.

“The individual responsible for the pellet gun incident was not located.”

Police say that later that evening, they learned that an injured man had been found in a neighbouring jurisdiction. He was suffering from multiple, non-life-threatening stab wounds believed to be related to the assault in New Westminster.

Investigators say the stabbing and pellet gun incidents are connected and the men involved knew each other.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.