Victoria police have arrested a man in relation to a violent home invasion that involved a firearm and knives, after an intensive manhunt that occupied the majority of their force Thursday night.
Police canine units were called out to the Quadra Village and Central Park areas at around 9 p.m. last night and officers at the scene said most of the shift was deployed in the search. Officers had seen a man who was wanted for a violent home invasion involving a firearm and knives.
“Just before 9 p.m. our patrol officers observed a male who is arrestable for a serious home invasion incident that happened a few weeks ago,” said Victoria police’s acting Staff Sgt. Mike Darling at the scene.
“When they tried to stop the male, he fled on foot and was jumping over fences and going through yards,” said Victoria police’s acting Staff Sgt. Mike Darling at the scene.
Police say officers then flooded the area, but the man continued to flee and led police on an hour-long foot pursuit through the Quadra Village neighbourhood.
“What was really important in this incident is that there were numerous members of the public giving us live updates and that was really key in the successful apprehension of this male,” said Darling.
The suspect was finally arrested about an hour later near Vancouver and Empress streets just before 10 p.m, but not without a fight.
The wanted man fought with attending officers and PSD Diesel with the canine unit assisted in effecting the arrest. The man was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries where he was soon released and taken back into police custody where he now remains.
Police say the file remains under investigation and charge recommendations will be forthcoming.
CHEK News
