21542 replies to this topic

[Rob Randall]

Message from the DRA:

 

"Attention Downtown Residents:
With many businesses being temporarily closed or operating with reduced hours due to the Covid pandemic, break-ins and robberies are on the rise. Residents have the opportunity to be the eyes and ears, especially if they are out walking their dogs. The businesses could use your support at this time. If you see a break-in or robbery in progress, call 911. If you see some damage as a result of a break-in or if you see suspicious activity, call the non-emergency line at 250-995-7654."

[Mike K.]

Two Arrested As Patrols Stepped Up In Core Business Areas

Victoria, BC – Two men have been arrested for property offences as Patrol officers have increased their presence in core business areas throughout Victoria and Esquimalt. Patrol officers have stepped up their presence in these core business areas, including Victoria’s downtown core, in response to concerns of thieves targeting businesses closed due to COVID-19 precautions.

File: 20-12627 | One Arrested In Break And Enter To Vacant Business

Patrol officers were called to the 700-block of Yates Street just before 7 p.m. last night after witnesses spotted a man breaking a window and entering a recently vacated business. Patrol officers surrounded the building. While officers were searching for suspect, a resident of a nearby building spotted the man attempting to access the roof area. The resident spoke with the man and escorted him off the property to waiting officers. He was taken into custody.

Upon arresting the man, officers discovered he had been injured while breaking the window. He was transported to hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was released with conditions and an appearance notice.

File: 20-12668 | Car Alarm, Broken Windows Lead To Arrest

Another man was arrested near the intersection of Cook Street and Rockland Avenue just after 3 a.m. this morning after a Patrol officer heard a car alarm sounding in the area. The officer then noted a man quickly leaving the area of the vehicle alarm and, noting evidence that he’d recently broken a vehicle window, detained him for investigation. The officer searched the man and discovered break and enter tools on his person. Additional investigation revealed two nearby vehicles that had been broken into. The owners of the vehicles were notified of the incidents. The man was arrested for violating conditions not to possess break and enter tools. The additional investigation remains ongoing at this time.

“We are well aware of the potential for businesses to be targeted during closures,” Chief Del Manak said. “We have already implemented enhanced patrols and discussed new crime prevention strategies.”

VicPD Patrol officers continue to take part in increased patrols in core business areas.

[Rob Randall]

I saw a couple of large broken windows at downtown businesses today: the coffee shop at Yates and Broad and the collectibles store next to the Flag Shop on Fort. 

[RFS]

Will continue as more businesses are vacant

[Rob Randall]

No doubt.

[Nparker]

I thought we were all in this together?

[Mike K.]

West Shore RCMP searching for robbery suspect

On March 23rd 2020, at approximately 6:40pm the West Shore RCMP responded to a report of a robbery that took place at Ma Millers Pub located at 2903 Sooke Lake Rd in Langford.

Police learned a male suspect entered the pub with a concealed face. The suspect stated he had a knife and demanded money from the employee. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash and was seen getting into a dark coloured sedan. No injuries were reported in this crime.

The suspect is described as:
- adult male with light coloured skin
- approx. 5’10 tall
- slim build
- wearing a grey hoodie and grey scarf concealing his face

Description of vehicle:
- dark coloured sedan

If you know who this suspect is please call the West Shore RCMP Serious Crimes Unit at 250-474-2264 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477.

[spanky123]

Will continue as more businesses are vacant

 

Stuff like this makes me sick to my stomach. As if small business owners don't have enough to worry about. If and when they are ever able to open their businesses again they will then have to cover damages.

 

Meanwhile our Mayor and her army of poverty pimps want to take taxpayer money and spend it on this human trash rather than spending a dime to try and help local businesses.

[Redd42]

This is why we spent this afternoon taking our stock out of our retail area.

 

It is something we always do when closed for extended periods - xmas, vacation. Though we haven't been open for the last week, finally admitted today we are in for the long haul.

 

The stock is still in the same space but not visible from outside. Would take someone time to find - we put it under things, in unlikely places. Just eliminating the temptation factor when seen through the front windows. 

 

We also have bars on our windows and an alarm system.

 

My line is that if they get past all that, that is what insurance is for. 

 

I'm really trying to eliminate the nuisance idiot criminals that would damage my space trying to get in but who would never manage to get in. I would have to pay to repair that damage.

 

We have also been at the business location most days to make sure nothing has happened, such as the hot water tank flooding.

[spanky123]

This is why we spent this afternoon taking our stock out of our retail area.

 

It is something we always do when closed for extended periods - xmas, vacation. Though we haven't been open for the last week, finally admitted today we are in for the long haul.

 

The stock is still in the same space but not visible from outside. Would take someone time to find - we put it under things, in unlikely places. Just eliminating the temptation factor when seen through the front windows. 

 

We also have bars on our windows and an alarm system.

 

My line is that if they get past all that, that is what insurance is for. 

 

I'm really trying to eliminate the nuisance idiot criminals that would damage my space trying to get in but who would never manage to get in. I would have to pay to repair that damage.

 

We have also been at the business location most days to make sure nothing has happened, such as the hot water tank flooding.

 

Lets face it, any claim less than $10K is likely not worth making as it means that your premium would increase and/or your carrier would drop you. They may also claim force majeur and not honour any policies.

 

You are also assuming that your insurance company will still be in business.

Edited by spanky123, 25 March 2020 - 07:03 AM.

[Jacques Cadé]

Re: broken windows. Seattle, ahead of us with the Coronavirus and other things as well, has so many boarded-up storefronts that artists are turning them into murals: https://www.thestran...ldings-into-art

 

[Mike K.]

UPDATE | Man Succumbs To Injuries After March 16th Assault With A Weapon



Victoria, BC – A man has died as a result of the serious injuries he sustained after he was assaulted with a weapon last week.



On Monday, March 16th, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Patrol officers attended a multi-unit residential building in the 3000-block of Douglas Street for a report that a man was injured after being assaulted with a weapon. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he remained in critical care.



On Wednesday, March 18th, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Patrol officers located and arrested the suspect in the 3100-block of Douglas Street. There were no injuries in the arrest.



On Wednesday, March 25th, the victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital.



Investigators believe that the victim and the suspect were known to each other, and that this was an isolated incident. Investigators do not believe that there is a risk to public safety.



This file is now being investigated as a homicide by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU). Anyone with information about this incident, including anyone who witnessed the event, is asked to contact VIIMCU at 250-380-6211.

[Rob Randall]

What about the toothless woman that stabbed the lady outside the Market on Yates? I thought that would be easy to solve.

[Nparker]

UPDATE | Man Succumbs To Injuries After March 16th Assault With A Weapon

 

Victoria, BC – A man has died as a result of the serious injuries he sustained after he was assaulted with a weapon last week. On Monday, March 16th, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Patrol officers attended a multi-unit residential building in the 3000-block of Douglas Street for a report that a man was injured after being assaulted with a weapon..

Housing first. It really works!

[Rob Randall]

^Sadly, the victim's demise will make its way into the records as one fewer homeless person requiring housing in the social service provider's annual pat-on-the-back awards.

[Mike K.]

Officer Buys Ferry Ticket For Stranded Woman

Victoria, BC – A stranded woman has been reunited with her family after a Patrol officer purchased a ferry ticket to get her home.

On Wednesday, March 25th, a Patrol officer was called to the 800-block of Burdett Avenue for a report of an emotionally distressed woman. After speaking with the woman, the officer learned that she had travelled from Northern B.C. to Victoria with a man, who then left her alone in Victoria. The woman, who is intellectually disabled, was not familiar with the area and had difficulty navigating Victoria alone. In addition, she was unable to find a shelter for accommodation, and did not have any money.

The Patrol officer was able to get in touch with a member of the woman’s family, who then travelled from the Southern Interior to pick up the woman.

The officer, not wanting the family member to have to take the ferry back and forth to Vancouver amid the COVID-19 pandemic, drove the woman to the ferry and purchased her a ticket. The woman’s family member met the woman in Vancouver and transported her home.

The woman’s family was grateful for the assistance of the officer. “I really appreciate what the officer did,” said a member of the woman’s family. “He helped out a lot.”

[spanky123]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[Victoria Watcher]

looks like he transported her from sandi merriments house. so she had at least found some assistance prior to police being involved.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 March 2020 - 01:21 PM.

[Mike K.]

🚔One Arrested, One Outstanding After Stolen Vehicle Rams Police Cruiser🚔

Victoria, BC – One man is in custody and another person is outstanding after the driver of a stolen vehicle rammed a police cruiser this afternoon.

On Thursday, March 26th, shortly after 3:00 p.m., officers with the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) observed a stolen vehicle in the 600-block of Pandora Avenue. Upon seeing police, the stolen vehicle pulled to the side of the road and one passenger ran from the vehicle.

Officers from the Community Services Division (CSD) attended to assist with stopping the stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle then rammed their police cruiser, causing the officer in the passenger seat to have to exit through the driver’s side. The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The CSD officers were able to exit their damaged vehicle and arrest the passenger of the stolen vehicle who ran from police.

The stolen vehicle fled the area, and was later located, unoccupied in an alley near the 1200-block of Langley Street.

The driver of the vehicle remains outstanding. This file remains under investigation.

If you have information about this incident and have not yet spoken to investigators, you are asked to call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

[Rob Randall]

Saanich police on the scene of an incident at a bus stop across the street from the Quadra/McKenzie Thrifty Foods. Officers were seen collecting evidence, including a family pack of striploin steaks.