Date: Friday, August 14, 2020
Files: 20-32361, 20-32342
Victoria, BC – The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) arrested a woman after two break and enters and an hours-long barricade in Burnside Gorge this morning.
At approximately 8:20 p.m. on August 13th, Patrol officers were called to a vehicle dealership in the 500-block of Francis Avenue for a report that a woman had broken into the business. While inside, the woman is reported to have accessed and attempted to steal a vehicle. During the attempted theft, the woman drove the vehicle into the dealership’s garage doors. The woman fled the business before officers arrived, leaving the vehicle running inside. Patrol officers began their investigation and their search for the suspect.
Just before 10:40 p.m., Patrol officers were then called to a residence in the 400-block of Burnside Road East. The residents reported that they returned home to find an unknown woman inside. Officers arrived and found that the woman had barricaded herself in the basement of the home. Officers attempted to communicate with the woman, and were able to confirm she was the suspect from the break and enter at the vehicle dealership.
The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT), including Crisis Negotiators were deployed to the scene.
Negotiators worked for several hours in efforts to resolve the incident. At approximately 2:15 a.m. this morning, negotiations failed. GVERT officers made entry to the house and deployed a noise distraction device and a less-lethal ARWEN round to take the woman into custody. She was transported to hospital for routine assessment, where she was medically cleared. The woman was transported back to cells where she was held for morning court.
Forensic Identification Services officers were called in to document the scenes. The investigations into both of these files continue.
The woman faces recommended charges of break and enter with intent.
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