On November 1, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a lone male suspect entered the 7-Eleven Convenience Store located at 10 Burnside Road West, demanding cash and cigaretttes from the store clerk. The suspect, who was carrying a knife, was provided with a quantity of cash and cigarettes by the employee. The male fled the area on foot.
Numerous Saanich Police units responded to the area to monitor for the suspect. Investigators are crediting the store for having very clear video surveillance equipment that was readily accessible to investigators, providing a timely description of the suspect.
The store clerk was not injured during the incident, however, was very shaken.
A description of the suspect provided by the store clerk, as well as further descriptors obtained from the video surveillance, provided police in the area of a very clear and distinct description of the suspect.
Approximately ten minutes after the robbery, a male matching the description was observed by police to be walking in the 100 block of Hampton Road. When officers attempted to speak with the male, he fled the area on foot into Hampton Park. A short foot chase ensued, which ended when the male surrendered to police within the park.
A 35 year old Saanich man was arrested at the scene. Police were able to locate the stolen cash, cigarettes, and the knife used during the offence in the man’s possession.
Investigators believe that the male may have been suffering from a mental health crisis, and that he may have committed the offence with the intention of being caught. It was determined that 35 year old suspect has had several prior convictions for robbery.
The suspect was held in custody and appeared before Provincial court earlier this week. The suspect will make a further appearance in the coming weeks.
Investigators have ruled out the possibility that this suspect committed the previous robberies at the Carey Road 7-Eleven stores earlier this year.
File 2013-22386
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158