At 7am this morning the Saanich Police Communication Centre was contacted by a witness who had just caught a male breaking into an office in the building at 3995 Quadra street.
The arriving custodian noticed the suspect coming down the stairway to exit the building. Knowing that nobody else should be in the building, the employee immediately suspected a break-in had occurred. He grabbed the suspect who then struck him in the head.
A second arriving employee then assisted when he found the two wrestling on the ground. The second employee assisted by sitting on the suspect and he too was assaulted. Once the suspect was somewhat restrained, one of the employees called 911 on a cell phone.
Multiple Saanich Police officers were dispatched to the scene. Upon arriving the restrained suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Arrested was a 46 year old male with an extensive history of property related offences. When he was searched, he also had in his possession an item clearly marked from a previous break in a short distance away.
Charges include 2 counts of assault, 2 counts of resist lawful arrest, one count of break and enter, possession of break in instrument, possession of stolen property and other breach of a court order related charges. The suspect remains in custody and will appear in court either this afternoon or tomorrow.
The investigation continues into other break-ins which have occurred lately in the same area.
12-14826