Victoria, BC – A man who was taken into custody Monday night after fighting with both a Patrol officer, a loss prevention officer, a manager and passersby at a local store, thanked the VicPD Patrol officer who arrested him.
A VicPD Patrol officer were called to a store in the 2600-block of Quadra Street just before 7:30 p.m. Monday night for a report that a man had taken items without paying for them. The man began to fight with the loss prevention officer who stopped him. The store manager and passersby stepped in to assist the loss prevention officer struggled to contain the suspect while another person called 911.
While the Patrol officer was on route, the caller reported to the E-Comm 911 call taker that the suspect claimed to have a weapon and threatened to stab those restraining him. Several additional officers were dispatched to the call. When the first Patrol officer to respond arrived on scene, the suspect began to fight with that officer. The suspect was taken into custody after a brief struggle. No one was injured in the incident.
Once arrested, the suspect thanked the officer for taking him into custody. The suspect allegedly remarked that he was in the midst of days-long period of drug use and had been unable to successfully access detox and other social supports. The suspect, who was known to the officer from past interactions, told the officer that he was aware that he would have access to support while in custody. The suspect was transported to cells where he was held for morning court and connection to support services.
Recommended charges include theft, robbery, assault and resisting arrest. The suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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