Victoria, BC – A Victoria man remains in custody facing 29 recommended charges after Patrol officers arrested on him on Friday, May 18th for a fraud in Esquimalt and discovered that, in addition to being suspected in other frauds, he was carrying a cache of weapons and illegal drugs on his person.
Patrol officers were first called to a business in the 800-block of Esquimalt Road on Thursday, May 17th for a report of two men who had passed counterfeit currency. Officers recognized one of the suspects from the description and began to search for him and his accomplice.
The next day, Patrol officers were called to the 1500-block of Fort Street in Victoria at approximately 2:45 p.m. for a report of a two men who appeared to be taking off handcuffs. The description of one of these men matched that of one of the fraud suspects from the previous day’s file. Patrol officers searched the area, but did not locate the suspects.
An hour later, Patrol officers spotted the fraud suspects near the intersection of Douglas and Yates streets in downtown Victoria. They stopped the men to take them into custody. One of the men turned away from the officers and refused to show his hands. He then turned back towards the officers with a knife in his hand. An officer was able to safely disarm him and Patrol officers began to take him into custody. The man then began to fight with officers and OC spray was deployed to help take him into custody.
When this first man was searched, Patrol officers discovered that he was in possession of five knives, including a prohibited switchblade, an asp baton, bear spray, illegal drugs, a replica handgun and over $7,000 in counterfeit currency. Patrol officers have since linked this man to at least two additional fraud investigations. He was held in custody for court, with officers recommending 29 charges including six counts of possession of concealed weapons, five counts of fraud under $5,000, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of counterfeit currency, one count of possession of a prohibited weapon, eight counts of breach of probation and six counts of breach of recognizance. Patrol officers believe that the man may be involved in additional frauds involving counterfeit currency.
The second man was arrested for breaching his probation and released on a promise to appear.
If you have information about this incident or believe that you or your business may have be targeted by these men attempting to pass counterfeit currency, please call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. If you have information about these incidents but wish to remain anonymous, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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