Shopper takes down thief mid-break-in
A man returning to his car at Tillcum Centre last Friday found a would-be thief sitting in his passenger seat and held the suspect until police arrived.
Around 7:30 p.m. in the upper parking lot, the victim returned to his unlocked vehicle to find a man sitting in the passenger seat and stuffing items into a bag.
The quick-acting car owner moved to the passenger side of his vehicle, removed the suspect and told him to sit on the pavement, where the suspect stayed until police arrived.
A 29-year-old Victoria man is facing charges of theft under $5,000. Police also discovered other stolen goods when they searched the suspect.
Saanich Police, once again, is reminding vehicle owners to lock their doors, “even if they are only going to be parked for short periods of time,” said Sgt. Steve Eassie.
Deliberate fires set on Shelbourne Street
Saanich police officers now have a man in custody after two small fires were set around Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Cross Road on Sunday.
The first fire was started on a picnic table around 9:10 a.m. directly across the street from the A&W Restaurant. Another fire was reported burning on the street, a six-foot strip that appeared to have been started by an accelerent, said Sgt. Steve Eassie.
“Witnesses were successful in dousing the picnic bench with water to extinguish the blaze prior to the arrival of emergency responders,” Eassie said.
Saanich Police have arrested a 38 year old male in connection with a series of small fire related incidents that occurred on Sunday, June 21.
Glass pieces were recovered from the centre of the road near the site of the second fire.
“It was believed that an accelerant would have been contained within the bottle prior to these incidents,” Eassie said.
A 38-year-old man was arrested later that day in possession of a partially burned Bible and police are recommending arson charges.
Man in stolen car nabbed while sleeping
A man found sleeping in a stolen car with a stolen licence plate is facing charges after Saanich police nabbed him in the early hours on Tuesday.
Police received a call about a suspicious male in the 3900-block of Interurban Rd., near Grange Road. Just after 1 a.m., police discovered the car had been reported stolen from the West Shore June 20. The rear license plate of the vehicle was also stolen.
A 24-year-old man was taken into custody without incident in possession of a knife and bear spray. He faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of break-in instruments, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failure to comply with a probation order.
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