Date: March 29, 2022
File: 22-5881 / 22-5925 / VicPD 22-11655
A suspect wanted for brandishing a knife in two robberies in Saanich yesterday has been arrested in Victoria by VicPD while committing another similar offence this morning.
On March 28, 2022, just before 5 a.m. officers responded to a convenience store in the 3200 block of Douglas Street for a robbery that had just occurred. The suspect brandished a knife and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect did not physically injure the clerk but was able to leave the store with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen walking eastbound toward Blanshard Street.
Just after 6 p.m. the same day, officers again attended an alarm at a restaurant in the 3400 block of Douglas Street, where a suspect had brandished a knife, demanded money and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police attended, however, they were unable to locate the suspect.
This morning VicPD arrested a man involved in a robbery file that our detectives can now confirm is the man wanted in our two robberies from yesterday. He remains in police custody and charges of Robbery and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose will be submitted for charge approval.
“While we are satisfied that this man has been arrested, we feel this is a good reminder for business owners to talk to their staff on ways to be safe if faced with a similar situation. These robberies have not resulted in physical injury, in large part due to staff having complied with the demands of the suspect. These incidents, with the level and threat of violence involved, can be very emotionally traumatic for all of those involved and support should be offered and provided as needed. As in these cases noted above, staff should try to remain calm, comply with the demands for money, and then notify police when safe to do so. ”
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer
[email protected]