Man who stole water taxi arrested for smashing windows at 14 locations in Victoria

Victoria Police
VicPD has arrested a man after a suspected mischief spree that involved smashing windows and resulted in damage to 14 different properties in Victoria.

The Victoria Police Department has arrested a man after a suspected mischief spree that involved smashing windows and resulted in damage to at least 14 different properties in Victoria.

Police say that the suspect arrested for the mischief spree is also believed to be the same man involved in the theft of a Victoria Harbour Ferry on Tuesday.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on the morning of January 20, officers attended a multi-unit residential building in the 1700-block of Cook Street for a report of an alarm.

Once at the building, officers found that the front door window had been smashed by a rock.

Police say that in the hour and a half following their visit to the residential building, officers discovered several additional business locations where windows had been smashed by rocks or other items.

It wasn’t until approximately 2 a.m. when police say they were alerted of a man smashing windows at a restaurant in the 500-block of Pandora Avenue with a large wooden pole.

When VicPD arrived on the scene, the suspect had fled, however, a short while later officers were able to locate the man and arrest him in the 500-block of Yates Street.

Police say they’ve identified 14 locations that the suspect damaged. These include the 1700-block of Cook Street, the 1500-block of Cook Street, the 600-block of View Street, two locations in the 1100-block of Blanshard Street, the 700-block of Broughton Street, the 600-block of Courtney Street, three locations in the 1200-block of Broad Street, the 600-block of Yates Street, the 500-block of Pandora Avenue, the 1400-block of Store Street, and the 700-block of Fort Street.

Officers transported the suspect to jail at the VicPD station where he was held to await court. The man faces several recommended charges of mischief and breach of an undertaking.

An investigation has been launched into the mischief spree and police believe that there may be several more locations that may have sustained damage as a result.

On Tuesday, the man stole a harbour ferry, which led police on a marine pursuit. Officers dispatched a boat and eventually were able to get near the stolen vessel and spoke with the suspect, who surrendered.

VicPD says the stolen water taxi and the suspect were transported to a dock in the 900-block of Wharf Street, where he was arrested.

Anyone who has information about these incidents, or was the victim of property damage, is being asked to call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654, extension 1.

To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

Graham CoxGraham Cox

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!