File: 20-5654

Victoria, BC – A woman is in custody after an incident which began with a break and enter in the 1300-block of Broad Street this morning.

On Thursday, February 6th, 2020, shortly after 1:00 a.m., Patrol officers were called to the 1300-block of Broad Street for a report of an alarm at a business. Officers arrived on scene within minutes and observed the woman suspect, who had broken into a business at that location. The woman fled the scene via rooftop. A K9 unit was deployed to assist in locating the suspect.

The woman then broke into two separate suites in a nearby multi-unit residential building in the 1300-block of Douglas Street. The woman barricaded herself inside the second suite. During the incident, the woman discharged a fire extinguisher and pulled the fire alarm. Many building residents were evacuated.

The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) attended the scene. Negotiation attempts were unsuccessful, and GVERT officers took the woman into custody approximately four hours after the initial call for service. A loud distraction device was used during the arrest, which has led to reports of an explosion in the area.

The woman was transported to the hospital at her request. She was not injured and was later released into police custody.

Officers are recommending multiple counts of Break and Enter and Mischief. The woman was held in custody to await morning court.

This file remains under investigation.

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