Date: Friday, January 29, 2021

File: 2021-1497

Victoria, BC – A Victoria man has been arrested by VicPD Strike Force officers in connection with a series of break and enters into downtown Victoria businesses.

The man was arrested yesterday after Strike Force officers conducted a two-week long investigation in response to a dramatic rise in business break and enters. Thieves are breaking windows and targeting valuables left inside of businesses after hours. Dozens of businesses have been victimized this month alone, and 2020 saw the second highest yearly number of break and enters to downtown businesses in a decade.

VicPD’s Analysis and Intelligence Section (AIS) worked with Strike Force and other officers to identify this suspect, whom officers believe to be responsible for some of the break and enters.

Brandon Paul, a 36-year-old Victoria man, faces six charges of break and enter and one charge of mischief. He was also wanted on outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest. He was held in custody pending a hearing. He is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Despite this arrest, break and enters targeting businesses continue. Additional suspects are believed to be responsible for other break and enters occurring in both Victoria and Esquimalt.

 

Another Cash Register Targeted In Vic West Business Break and Enter

File: 21-3839

Just before 11 p.m. last night, a VicPD K9 officer responded to a call for a break and enter in the 100-block of Wilson Street in Vic West. The officer discovered that a window had been broken and the cash register stolen. The cash register was located a short distance away with the bills removed. This is the second of this type of incident this week. Officers are urging business owners to empty their cash trays at the close of business and to display their empty cash tray in sight of windows and doors to dissuade thieves.

This break and enter remains under investigation. If you have information about this incident, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1, or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Strike Force, AIS Investigations Into Break and Enters Continue

Strike Force and AIS are continuing to investigate the remaining unsolved business break and enters. Strike Force is a focused investigative unit in the Victoria Police Department. Strike Force officers use cutting-edge investigative techniques including clandestine surveillance, undercover operations and confidential information to identify, target, and arrest some of the most dangerous and prolific offenders in Victoria and Esquimalt. If you have information about the ongoing break and enters to Victoria and Esquimalt businesses, drug trafficking or firearms in our community, you can call the Strike Force line directly at (250) 995-7260.

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