Saanich police arrested a Victoria man Monday night after a confrontation with an officer.
A worker at the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Vanalman Avenue contacted police about a man who was "seen to be absconding with Coke product," said Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen.
The man, who fled on bike, was eventually tracked by officers but evaded capture by turning onto bike trails.
An officer eventually caught up with the suspect who, upon getting down on the ground, turned over and started kicking his hands and feet. The officer, described by Jantzen as "stout" wrestled with the man until two other officers arrived to handcuff him.
The officer was not injured, and the suspect suffered minor injuries to his ribs.
A 39-year-old Victoria resident faces charges of resisting and obstructing a police officer, and theft.
kslavin@saanichnews.com