Matthew Neely, wanted on warrants following a tense standoff in Victoria back in September, was arrested after fleeing officers in Saanich Monday night.
Saanich police say they responded to a a report of a vehicle found, that was stolen earlier from Esquimalt.
As police started to contain the area around the 3500 block of Shelbourne Street, a Saanich Police officer spotted a group of men leaving the area.
While more officers from Saanich and Victoria arrived, they say one recognised one man from the group as 28-year-old Neely and he fled police.
He was quickly caught, and taken into custody. He was then taken to Victoria police and held for court Tuesday morning.
“We were concerned because this fall fled from police in Victoria. So he again fled from police, we are happy we were able to locate and arrest him,” said Constable Markus Anastasiades of the Saanich police.
“He posses a significant risk to the public.”
A bench-warrant was issued for Neely after he failed to appear in court Monday.
Police are investigating the theft, but are not able to connect Neely this early. But say the fact he was in the area the stolen vehicle was is suspicious.
Saanich police are thanking Victoria police for their collaboration.
On September 4th, Victoria police were called to the area of Shelbourne and Begbie Street just before 6:15 a.m.
They responded after a report of an intoxicated man standing in the middle of the road.
When police arrived on scene, the man attempted to flee in a vehicle, allegedly crashing into multiple parked cars including the first attending police vehicle. Nobody was injured.
He then barricaded himself in a nearby home, and negotiators were at the scene for close to eight hours, attempting to speak with the man through a megaphone.
Heavily armed officers eventually moved in and arrested him.
READ MORE: Standoff on Begbie Street in Victoria ends with man in police custody
Julian Kolsut
