Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 

VicPD Files: 24-13664 & 24-13780
Saanich PD File: 24-7071 

Victoria, BC – Yesterday around noon, VicPD arrested a man involved in a carjacking in the 1000-block of Johnson Street. The accused, Seth Packer, has been charged with two counts of Robbery, one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, one count of Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident and one count of Failing to Comply with Conditions. 

At approximately 11:50 a.m. on April 22, VicPD received a call from a female who reported that as she was entering her vehicle in the 1000-block of Johnson Street, an unknown man pushed her and drove off with her vehicle. The suspect, Seth Packer, then struck another vehicle while driving through the intersection of Cedar Hill Road and Doncaster Drive in Saanich. Packer continued to drive southbound, causing another motor vehicle collision minutes later, before abandoning the vehicle at the intersection of Cook Street and Finlayson Street. Those involved in the collisions sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

Packer took off on foot and was arrested after he attempted to steal another vehicle nearby. Bystanders had heard a neighbour cry out for help and observed the suspect sitting in the driver’s seat of the neighbour’s vehicle. The bystanders removed Packer from the vehicle and held him until officers arrived. 

Packer had also been arrested by VicPD on April 21 when he attempted to steal a vehicle in the 2900-block of Shelbourne Street while it was occupied, and had to be physically removed by the owner. On this occasion, he was charged with one count of Attempt Theft of Motor Vehicle, and later released with conditions.  

Seth Packer now remains in custody pending a future court appearance. Further details are not available at this time. 

Why Was This Person Originally Released?  

Bill C-75, which came into effect nationally in 2019, legislated a “principle of restraint” that requires police to release an accused person at the earliest possible opportunity after considering certain factors which include the likelihood the accused will attend court, the imminence of the risk posed to public safety, and the impact on confidence in the criminal justice system. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides that every person has the right to liberty and the presumption of innocence pre-trial. Police are also asked to consider the circumstances of Indigenous or vulnerable persons in the process, in order to address the disproportionate impacts that the criminal justice system has on these populations. 

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