The Saanich Police Department managed to arrest a suspect, believed to be responsible for a series of break-ins, after catching him in the act.
Saanich Police Department says it deployed its Street Crime Unit to investigate a series of break-ins that occurred in the district between October 2020 and January of this year.
The investigation was able to identify one suspect from information obtained by the Forensic Identification Section as well as a traffic stop initiated by a Victoria Police Canine Officer.
Police say they were able to track the suspect down in the early morning of January 21.
“Surveillance on this suspect was conducted by officers who observed him with another possible suspect in the area of Burnside Road West and Harriet Road just after midnight Thursday,” reads a police report.
According to police, the one suspect stood by as a “lookout” as the primary suspect walked to the rear of a business at the corner of the intersection.
First, the lookout suspect was seen breaking into a parked vehicle by using a blow torch to smash the glass – an act that resulted in the suspect “swiftly” being taken into custody by officers waiting nearby.
Police say the primary suspect then appeared from behind the business as the alarm began to sound. Patrol officers pounced and took him into custody as well.
Saanich Police say they have charged the primary suspect – a 40-year-old man – with eight counts of Break and Enter related to businesses in the district dating back to October 2020.
The businesses involved in these break-and-enters included 6 liquor stores, 1 bank, and 1 restaurant. In each instance, a store window was carefully removed in order to access the business. Police say items stolen have included large quantities of liquor and also some smaller electronics.
Additionally, the primary suspect was charged with one count of Mischief Under $5,000 from January 2021.
The suspect, who police say already had two outstanding warrants for break-ins committed in Saanich and Victoria back in October, remains in police custody.
“This individual targeted local businesses in Saanich over the course of several months. Collaboration continues with the Victoria Police Department with their investigation into similar glass-removal type business break and enters,” says Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
Saanich PD says the other suspect has been charged with Mischief Under $5,000 and was released with a court date for later in 2021.
Victoria Police have been cautioning businesses about a series of recent break-ins as well, where a suspect has been using sophisticated techniques of removing the glass from doors and windows.
It is unclear at this time whether the break-and-enters in both districts are linked.
Graham Cox
