- Regional Drug Network Thwarted by VicPD (11-45941)
- VicPD Investigating Attempted Robbery (12-1013)
- New Inspector Introduction
Regional Drug Network Thwarted by VicPD (11-45941)
VicPD concluded a month long drug investigation on Friday morning with the execution of three simultaneous search warrants in the region. Five drug traffickers from Victoria and West Shore were also arrested.
Victoria Police Strike Force and Street Crime Units and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant in the 1400-block of Finlayson Place where two 28-year-old and 60-year-old Victoria men were arrested. Another warrant was executed in a residence in the 2700-block of Gosworth where a 22-year-old Victoria female was arrested.
West Shore RCMP assisted in VicPD's investigation by executing a warrant in the 1100-block of Goldstream Avenue in Langford where a 28-year-old Langford man was arrested.
Both the Strike Force and Street Crimes Unit conducted extensive searches and located evidence of marijuana grow operations and cash amongst other items in all three residences. They will now spend time cataloguing the evidence and preparing charges against these five individuals.
VicPD officers were particularly proud of this investigation as it had an immediate effect on the community. As the search warrants were being completed, members of the community started to approach the officers, thanking them for their work and for making their neighborhood a safer place.
All five suspects were released from custody and VicPD suspects to recommend a number of charges against them, including Production of a Scheduled Substance and Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.
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VicPD Investigating Attempted Robbery (12-1013)
VicPD Officers are investigating an early morning attempted robbery that took place at the 7-Eleven convenience store in the 800-block of Douglas Street.
A 911 call was placed to VicPD just before 3 a.m. by a store employee, after a man had walked into the convenience store brandishing a large knife and demanding cash. The suspect, however left empty-handed and ran out the door, southbound on Douglas Street.
Numerous officers attended including a K9 but the suspect was not found. Several pieces of evidence were located at the scene and officers are now following up with the Forensic Identification Services.
The suspect is described as a white man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is described as average build and between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a black mask over his face with a black jacket and bags over his shoes.
If anybody has information regarding this incident, they are asked to call VicPD at our non-emergency line of 250-995-7654 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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New Inspector Introduction
In December, VicPD held an Inspector competition for the appointment of newest senior managers. The two inspector positions came open after resignations by Darrell McLean and Les Sylven.
The two successful candidates following an internal competition were Penny Durrant and Keith Lindner. Both Durrant and Lindner were promoted effective December 16, and now that the holidays have passed, we wanted to formally introduce them.
Penny Durrant has been a member of VicPD for 21 years. She has worked in a wide range of sections, including Bikes Section, Youth Outreach officer, Special Victims Unit, Operational Support, Human Resources, Watch Commander, and most recently the Acting Inspector of Patrol Services.
She was an original member of the Tour de Rock bike team, and has continued to be involved with new riders for the past 11 years. Durrant has also has been an active volunteer with the BC SPCA Wild ARC Animal Rehabilitation Centre.
Penny has also competed in many Police and Fire Games and has won gold medals in mountain biking, road racing and arm wrestling.
In 2003 she was awarded the Lt. Governor award, and last year she received her 20-year Exemplary Service medal.
Lindner has been policing for 26 years. He started with the Calgary Police, and has been a member of VicPD since 1990.
He has worked in patrol, drug crimes, professional standards, major crimes, watch commander, and ERT. Lindner was the first Sergeant assigned to the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, when the homicide unit was created in 2007. He is an accredited Team Commander who has handled many major case investigations.
Keith was most recently the Acting Inspector for the West Division.
He has been the President of the Victoria Police Athletic Association since 1998, and is heavily involved in community activities of the department. Last year Keith also received his 20-year Exemplary Service medal.
