Chocolate thief drops ‘gun’ while fleeing Langford Shoppers Drug Mart: West Shore RCMP

Chocolate thief drops 'gun' while fleeing Langford Shoppers Drug Mart: West Shore RCMP
CHEK
It didn't lake long for police to catch up with the criminal who was spotted boarding a BC Transit Bus after fleeing from the store.

A shoplifter in Langford made a quick escape after an attentive customer caught him stealing several boxes of chocolate, but not before dropping a handgun on his way out.

Police say the man never threatened or pointed the gun at anyone during his theft of several boxes of chocolate.

It didn’t lake long for police to catch up with the criminal, who was spotted boarding a BC Transit Bus after fleeing from the Shoppers Drug Mart at 300-2945 Jacklin Rd in Langford.

The firearm was recovered by police, who later confirmed it was a squirt gun painted to look real.

Police say the man arrested was just 18-years-old, and a resident of Saanich. The arrest was made without incident, and his name has not been released.

CHEK’s request for a picture of the squirt gun could not be fulfilled as police confirmed that the item is currently awaiting fingerprinting as evidence.

Carrying a weapon or anything that looks like a weapon, in a manner that could be dangerous to the public is against the law. In this case, a water pistol painted to look real and tucked into the suspect’s waistband is alarming and calls public safety into question, said Const. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP Media Relations Officer.

The man who was arrested was released on an Undertaking with conditions that prohibit him from returning to the Shoppers Drug Mart or be in possession of weapons including firearms.

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