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Man arrested in downtown Victoria wine shop break-in

The Artisan Wine Shop in downtown Victoria is open for business today after a thief smashed the front window and ran off with bottles of wine. “It’s like nothing happened,” said Adam Nice.
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A security guard spotted a man drinking wine on Pandora Avenue early Tuesday, about an hour after a break-in at a wine store. The man was arrested.

The Artisan Wine Shop in downtown Victoria is open for business today after a thief smashed the front window and ran off with bottles of wine.

“It’s like nothing happened,” said Adam Nice. “The window company came last night, put in the new window, and we’re good to go.”

A security guard in the area called police at 11:30 p.m. Monday about a break-and-enter in progress, said Victoria Const. Mike Russell.

The security guard called after hearing glass breaking and smashing to the ground at a liquor store in the 600-block of Broughton Street, near the downtown Bay Centre.

The sharp-eyed security guard saw the suspect flee carrying about four bottles of wine.

Police arrived with a police dog but they were unable to track the thief.

About an hour later at 12:30 a.m., the security guard spotted the suspect at Pandora Avenue and Amelia Street drinking a bottle of wine.

Police showed up and arrested the man, Russell said.

A 37-year-old man was released from custody on a promise to appear in court, police said. Charges are pending.

The Artisan Wine Shop, which offers exclusive B.C. wines, gifts and accessories, indicated the wine stolen was random and not from their premium selection.

charnett@timescolonist.com