A theft suspect was arrested Monday after he was stopped by a Nanaimo RCMP officer and barked at by a police dog.
At around 6:30 a.m. in the 800-block of Park Avenue, police were called about a man who was allegedly seen leaving a yard with a chainsaw.
Cpl. Dean Muir and Police Dog Hawk were searching the area and saw the suspect on a skateboard a short time after their search began.
Police said Muir approached the suspect in his vehicle and saw the man pull out a can of bear spray, then hide it behind his leg. Muir gave the command “Stop Police or I will send the dog.” After Hawk started aggressively barking, the man allegedly changed his behaviour and was arrested without further incident.
“Cpl Muir is convinced as soon as the suspect heard Hawk’s distinctive bark, he decided on the spot he had no interest in meeting Hawk, up close and personal. It’s probably the wisest decision he has made in a long time,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The 36-year-old Nanaimo man, Levi Rice, has been charged with possessing break-in tools in his backpack along with possession of an extendable baton, a restricted weapon. He will be held in custody until a court appearance next week.
The chainsaw that Rice was reportedly seen carrying has been seized and authorities are searching for the rightful owner.
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