Date: Monday, February 7, 2022

File: 22-4606

Victoria, BC – Investigators are asking for your assistance in identifying a suspect after a number of vehicles were damaged in a parking lot near the B.C. Legislature during a protest on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday afternoon, officers with the Greater Victoria Integrated Public Safety Unity (PSU) were deployed to the area of the B.C. Legislature to protect public safety and ensure that everyone’s Charter rights to safe, peaceful and lawful protest were protected. Large crowds gathered in the area, including groups opposed to each other. Officers worked to keep the peace between these groups.

During the protest, officers were approached by people who had parked their vehicles in a parking lot at 481 Kingston Street. They were told that they had witnessed a man damaging vehicles in the parking lot and that they had captured a photograph of the suspect. PSU officers began an initial response and searched the area. They learned that the suspect had departed the area and returned to their primary duty keeping people safe at the protest. Once the protest had wound down, Community Services Division officers then connected with those who had reported their vehicles damaged and continued the investigation.

Officers learned that several vehicles had been damaged, including damage to vehicle paint, vehicle surfaces and tires. Officers also learned that items had been stolen from the vehicles.

The suspect is described as Caucasian man, aged between 25 to 35 years-old with a medium build, short dark brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing a black bomber jacket and a red t-shirt. He wore a gold hoop earing in his right ear and had a noticeable birthmark on the right side of his neck. A photograph of the man is below.

**EDIT** The suspect turned himself in to police on Wednesday, February 9th. The photograph of the man has been removed pending additional investigative processes.

VicPD’s officers remain impartial during protests. Our duty is to help keep the public safe and ensure that an environment that provides for safe, peaceful and lawful protest as protected by the Charter is maintained. In advance of the events, VicPD reminded all participants that dangerous and/or unlawful acts would be met with de-escalation & enforcement.

If you recognize this man, please call our Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 ext 1. To report what you know anonymously please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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