Posted 2015-12-16
Saanich Police Detectives have confirmed that a suspect has been arrested in relation to a robbery at the TD Canada Trust bank in Oak Bay, which took place on Tuesday, December 15.
A timeline of events will assist in outlining the investigation:
- 7:30 a.m. December 15 – Saanich Police were contacted by the owner of a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck who reported the vehicle as stolen.
- 5:45 p.m. December 15 – Oak Bay Police were advised of a robbery that had occurred at the TD Canada Trust bank in Oak Bay. The suspect was observed leaving in a black Dodge Ram pickup with a dark coloured canopy and was last seen heading on Oak Bay avenue towards downtown Victoria.
- 9:30 p.m. December 15 – VICPD members observed a black Dodge Ram pickup in the parking lot of the Wendy’s restaurant in the 700 block of Bay Street. The plate on the vehicle revealed that the vehicle was reported as stolen out of Saanich earlier that same day. VICPD members attempted to stop the vehicle to arrest the driver, however, the suspect backed the stolen vehicle into a civilian vehicle, mounted a curb, and fled from police. Police were able to identify the driver of the stolen vehicle and recommended charges of Possession of Stolen Property over $5000, Failing To Remain At The Scene Of An Accident, Flight From Police, Dangerous Driving, and Driving While Prohibited.
- 12:35 p.m. December 16 – Westshore RCMP observed the stolen vehicle being driven by the same driver identified by VICPD the previous evening. Numerous other sightings of the vehicle were confirmed by VICPD and Saanich Police members as the vehicle drove through Esquimalt, Saanich, and Victoria.
- 1:25 p.m. December 16 – the stolen vehicle was located parked on the side of the road and unoccupied near the intersection of Doncaster and Westall Road.
- 1:34 p.m. December 16 – a VICPD K9 officer was successful in locating and apprehending the suspect in the 1500 block of Hillside Avenue.
The suspect, a 20 year old male from the Greater Victoria area, who is known to police as a result of previous police contact, was taken into custody and will be held for a court appearance.
“Our investigation into these matters is ongoing” Sgt. Steve Eassie said. “Our investigators believe that there is a direct connection to the stolen vehicle, the suspect, and the robbery that took place yesterday in the late afternoon. As a result, charges for the robbery will also be recommended against the suspect.”
The stolen vehicle has been recovered and will be searched for evidence relating to these incidents.
“The assistance and communications between the Westshore RCMP, VICPD, and Saanch Police led to the successful arrest of the suspect, and the recovery of the stolen vehicle” Eassie said. “This is another great example of regional cooperation amongst the police resources in the Greater Victoria area”.
File 2015-27842
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158