Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Files: 23-4872, 23-4873, 23-4875, 23-4910

Victoria, BC – Investigators are asking those with information to come forward as we continue to investigate a series of incidents in which multiple businesses had glass windows smashed this morning.

22-4872 | Restaurant window smashed

Just after 6:00 am, officers were called to the 1100-block of Government Street. A staff member reported that a front window of their restaurant had been smashed.

22-4873 | Officers discover additional smashed window across the street

While investigating the damaged restaurant window, officers noted another smashed window at a pub across the street. They attended the business. Their investigation showed that the same man was responsible for damaging the windows at both businesses.

 

22-4875 | Passerby informs officers of third smashed window

While officers were investigating the smashed window at the pub, a passerby approached officers and told them they had discovered another broken window at a store at Fort and Government streets. Officers spoke with security staff and discovered similarities between the suspect who damaged the windows at the pub and the restaurant.

 

22-4910 | Three more businesses report smashed windows

Later, at approximately 10:30 am, officers were called to a group of three businesses in the 500-block of Johnson Street for reports of three more smashed windows. Officers spoke with the property manager and then staff at each business who reported discovering front or side windows smashed at business opening.

Officers are aware of six different businesses that have had their windows smashed but believe there may be more who have not yet reported.

Investigators are looking for witnesses who were in the area at approximately 6:00 am today. Officers are also looking to locate surveillance and security footage from the downtown area this morning, particularly the area between the 500-block of Johnson Street and the 1000-block of Government Street. If you have footage from the area, please save it and contact us.

Investigators are working to determine if the same suspect is responsible for all of these incidents. The person captured on surveillance video is described as a Caucasian man wearing black pants and a black jacket with the hood up and black shoes.

Surveillance image of suspect

If your business’ windows were damaged this morning, if you have information about any of these incidents or were in the area, or if you have surveillance footage from the area, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1.

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