Saanich police are searching for a suspect who broke into a number of cars along the Gorge Waterway early Monday morning, then pulled a knife on a man when he was confronted.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in the 2800-block of Adelaide Ave. A 30-year-old resident in the area went outside and noticed his car had been entered. He walked out to the street and noticed a suspicious man a few houses down.
The suspicious individual attempted to hide under a vehicle, but was spotted by the area resident, who verbally confronted him.
The suspect then produced a knife and ran away.
"There were a total of four vehicles attacked in the immediate area. And it appears they were entered without force," said Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen. "Once again we see a situation where cars are left unlocked and accessed by a thief who's really just cruising the neighbourhood trying door handles."
Police sent a canine unit into the area, but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect. They did, however, find an item that had been stolen from the 30-year-old victim's vehicle.
"We don't encourage victims to confront suspects because you never know what might happen," Jantzen said. Instead, he recommends victims stay a safe distance away, attempt to keep an eye on the suspect and call police.
The suspect in this case is described as being in his early 20s or 30s, approximately five-foot-10, up to 200 pounds with a full, dark brown beard. He was wearing a long coat with a white stripe on it, and a toque.
Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to call 250-475-4321.
kslavin@saanichnews.com