2 police officers sprayed in the face with bear spray during arrest: VicPD

Victoria police say two officers were sprayed in the face with bear spray during an arrest early Thursday morning.

According to police, shortly before 5:30 a.m., officers stopped two men in the 2900-block of Douglas Street. One of the men was in breach of a court-ordered curfew, stemming from previous charges of assault with a weapon, break and enter, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, police said.

The officers told the man he was under arrest for breaching his curfew. The man then allegedly attacked the officers, spaying them both in the face with bear spray. The officers then took the man into custody.

During the arrest, the second man allegedly threw a glass bottle at the officers. Police said the bottle narrowly missed and broke on a nearby wall. The second man then fled. Police said they are working to identify the man and locate him.

Police are recommending the first man face two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon and one count of resisting arrest.

VicPD said both officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention at the scene from BC Emergency Health Services paramedics. The officers were unable to complete their shifts.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 and select option 1 for the report desk.

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

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