Saanich Police say two masked men robbed the Bottle Depot on Quadra Street on Aug. 3.
Just before 5 p.m., police were called to a robbery in progress in the 3900-block of Quadra Street.
Const. Markus Anastasiades said two suspects wearing Halloween-style masks entered the Bottle Depot, assaulted at least one staff member, and grabbed the till containing cash.
An employee chased the men as they ran out of the store, and Anastasiades said the suspects pepper sprayed the employee.
“There was a bit of an altercation between one of the employees, and the suspect, and one of the suspects turned, and discharged bear spray at the employee,” Anastasiades said. “Then both of them left, fled on foot towards the Galloping Goose trail. That’s where they were last seen.”
Deep Kotian, manager of the Bottle Depot said the employee working outside made a second attempt to stop the suspects.
“They had bear spray on them as well. So they got in their car, they were trying to start it,” Kotian said. “But that staff member, again, threw some heavy stuff on their windshield, which stopped them from starting their car, and stuff like that. So they had to eventually run off.”
A grey Honda Civic hatchback was seized by police as evidence after witnesses said they saw the suspects drive it into the parking lot.
A search with the assistance of police dogs was unsuccessful in locating the two men.
Anastasiades said this type of robbery is unusual, where the suspects assault employees.
“For employees to get assaulted in a robbery is very, very uncommon,” Anastasiades said. “And certainly wearing masks we saw an uptick in that during COVID with the paper masks. But wearing the Halloween style masks to rob a Bottle Depot, we don’t normally see that type of behaviour.”
The suspects are described as 20-30 years old, black bucket hat, black outfit, gloves, Halloween mask, and 20-30 years old, black hooded sweater, black pants, Halloween mask.
Anyone with information, including any dash cam footage from the area, is asked to contact the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 or report anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477.
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