A lone man is believed to be behind a rash of crimes that occurred early yesterday, say Saanich police.

The one-man spree began at 4:12 a.m. with a robbery at the Tim Hortons restaurant at McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street. A man walked into the store and demanded money. The staff handed him the money and he fled, leaving the scene in a black Mercedes, said Sgt. Julie Fast of Saanich police.

Two hours later, a newspaper-delivery person parked his blue Nissan Altima in the 4000 block of Corners Place and left the vehicle to make some deliveries. Moments later, he saw the car being driven away.

Minutes after this theft, residents near Beckwith Park saw a car tearing up a grassy field. They gave police a description that matched that of the delivery person's stolen vehicle.

Police spotted the car on Quadra Street and stopped it at Saanich Road and McKenzie Avenue. The car was confirmed to be the stolen Nissan Altima and police arrested the 23-year-old driver.

Shortly afterward, police located the black Mercedes connected with the Tim Hortons robbery parked in the Borden Street area.

Fast said police believe the 23-year-old is responsible for all three crimes.