Overnight Friday December 10th and into Saturday December 11th, a region wide crime spree occurred involving several youths in an older model tan Chrysler Dynasty which was stolen. Three disturbing incidents occurred in Saanich.
Sometime overnight Friday the Smuggler’s Cove Beer and Wine store, 3837 Cadboro Bay rd, was broken into. An exterior window was smashed and several bottles of wine were grabbed. Some of the wine was later recovered and It appears that one of the bottles of wine may have also been used in an assault.
Just before 1am, a violent attack on a youth occurred in the area of Colquitz school. Three youths, two females and a male were confronted by the youths in the stolen car. The teens were threatened with a weapon and the male victim had a gold chain snatched from his neck valued at $500.
Just before 4am, the Impulse Foods on Marigold road was broken into. Witnesses heard smashing glass and males seen running. Again, a similar vehicle to the stolen car was seen in front of the store. Moments later a Patrol supervisor observed a similar vehicle and five occupants in the Carey road area. The car drove off at a high rate of speed and was lost.
At about 4:30 am, a VicPD Patrol Sergeant located the stolen vehicle abandoned in the 2100 block of Belmont rd. A police K9 track led to a residence in the 2000 block of Stanley st. A later search warrant led to the recovery of some items taken during the crime spree. Included in items recovered were wine bottles matching those taken from the Smugglers Cove store.
Given the sheer number and the complexity of the investigations, the Saanich Police Detectives and Forensic Investigators were called out to assist. They worked alongside investigators from VicPD in bringing this investigation to a successful outcome.
10-29851,29829,29843