A man was tasered and arrested Thursday after he was reported smearing blood on the back of a city employee, damaging property around downtown Victoria and assaulting a police officer.
Police said the man’s crime spree began at 4:30 a.m. in Centennial Square when, bloodied for an unknown reason, he assaulted a city staff member, wiping blood down their back. He then continued to the 500-block of Johnson Street where he smashed the window of a business, resulting in multiple reports to police.
The suspect went on to damage a vehicle in the area and wipe blood on a City of Victoria garbage truck. He then fled to the 1300-block of Government Street where he smashed two more businesses’ windows. There, officers caught up with the suspect.
RELATED: Victoria glass smashing suspect believed to be water taxi thief
The man refused to surrender to police and assaulted an officer before they used a taser to arrest him. Both the officer and the suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to a police release.
The man faces recommended charges of assault and assaulting a police officer, as well as three counts of mischief under $5,000 and one count over $5,000.
Anyone with information can contact the VicPD report desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1, or report anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
RELATED: Suspect in custody following daytime break-in at Saanich home
Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.