West Shore RCMP police pup Erik was put to good use on Thursday, after a man fled from the RCMP in Sooke.
Police were called to Wadams Way just before 9 a.m., after receiving a report of a suspicious activity with firearms involving several unknown men.
The Sooke RCMP were told these men were seen either moving guns into or out of a vehicle that was backed up into a wooded area.
The caller gave police a description of the men as well as the vehicle and RCMP officers were dispatched to the area right away.
They immediately found a man carrying several guns.
The officer gave the man directions, but the suspect ignored the instructions and took off running, dropping several long-style guns as he ran away from the police.
An RCMP officer on the ground found and secured the firearms, but the man kept running.
West shore RCMP police dog Erik arrived on the scene and searched the area.
“This was a dynamic situation that happened very quickly from the time of the first call to the suspect being caught. The suspect ran through many residents’ yards before being located by the police dog,” said Sgt. Brett Sinden of the Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander.
Erik sniffed out the suspect, who was hiding behind some bushes.
The man initially told police false information about who he is, but later confirmed his actual identity.
Police credit the public for providing valuable information.
The reports from the public calling in as they saw us running after this male absolutely helped us locate him safely,” confirmed Sinden. “Even though the suspect had several firearms, he did not threaten anyone, or any police officers.
The Victoria man is in custody, and the investigation is on-going.
The investigation will now focus on what his intention was with the firearms, and where they came from,” said Sinden.”
Sooke RCMP is requesting anyone who has information on this situation to contact the Sooke RCMP Detachment at 250-642-5241.
Rebecca Lawrence
