Victoria, BC – Further investigation has revealed that yesterday’s incident in which officers responded to a hold-up alarm was not a robbery attempt, but was triggered by a mental health crisis and addiction issue.
Yesterday, officers took one man into custody after a hold-up alarm was triggered at a business in the 800-block of View Street just before 4:30 p.m.
When our 911 Communications Centre call-takers called the business there were indications that a man was in the store and an attempted robbery may be taking place. Officers quickly surrounded the business and our call-takers stayed on the line with staff. Out of an abundance of caution, traffic in the area was stopped. Staff then fled the business and then a man was taken into custody without further incident.
In speaking with the man and staff our investigators learned that what had occurred did not appear to be a criminal event, but instead the result of a mental health crisis and an addiction issue. The man was transported to hospital for treatment and then was given a ride home by patrol officers.