Victoria police arrested two fraud suspects and discovered a cache of weapons and drugs. There are 30 charges recommended against the men who were arrested Friday.
A Victoria man remains in custody after being arrested for fraud Friday and was later discovered to be hiding weapons and illegal drugs.
Victoria police say the man was pepper-sprayed after showing a knife to police and began fighting with officers once he was disarmed.
Authorities say they were called to an Esquimalt Road business in the 800-block for a report of two men passing counterfeit money and one of the suspects was recognized by police.
Then in the 1500-block of Fort Street in Victoria Friday afternoon, police responded to a report of two men who appeared to be taking off handcuffs and the description of one of the men matched that of a suspect from the previous day.
Patrol officers later found the suspects downtown at Douglas and Yates and took them into custody after the altercation with one of the men.
Police found he was in possession of five knives, a baton, bear spray, illegal drugs, a replica handgun and over $7,000 of fake currency.
The man has been linked to at least two other fraud investigations involving counterfeit money and is held in custody until a court appearance.
Police have not released the man’s name, but say he faces 29 charges, including six for possessing a concealed weapon, five counts of fraud, two drug possession charges, one count of possession of counterfeit money, one charge of having a prohibited weapon, eight counts of breach of probation and six counts of breach of recognizance.
The second suspect was arrested for breaching his probation and released on a promise to appear in court.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident or feel your business was targeted by these men trying to pass counterfeit money to call police or Crime Stoppers.
Andy Neal
