Two off-duty Victoria police officers stumbled upon an attempted armed robbery during their morning jog today.
The officers were passing the corner of Pembroke Street and Dowler Place just before 6 a.m. when they heard a woman screaming for help.
The woman, in her late 20s, had been thrown to the ground and was being kicked by a man armed with a pellet gun.
"The officers engaged in dialogue with the man in an attempt to diffuse the situation," said Mike Tucker, VicPD spokesman, adding the officers initially thought the handgun was real.
"After some tense moments passed, the robber confessed it was only a pellet gun, and that’s when the two officers pounced and subdued him.
"The woman, who knew the suspect, was treated by paramedics on scene and did not require a stay in hospital, Tucker said.
"The man was kicking her in the chest and she was pretty banged up," he added.
A 32-year-old Saanich man is being held in custody, with charges of robbery recommended against him.
dpalmer@vicnews.com