A man checking out early-morning noises in his Saanich home was confronted by intruders and stabbed.
The man, an adult son of the homeowners, was treated at hospital and released.
Saanich police Sgt. Steve Eassie said officers believe at least two or three intruders were in the house early Tuesday on St. Peter’s Road, off Quadra Street. They are thought to have entered through an unlocked door. The break and enter was reported to police about 2:20 a.m.
“It’s very rare for a B-and-E to be interrupted,” Eassie said.
“There’s no doubt that these individuals appeared to be actively involved in a break, enter and theft.”
The fact that the incident happened in an occupied home is “extremely concerning,” he said.
Eassie said it is not known if the intruders knew people were inside.
He said the son was hurt during a struggle. “One of the suspects pulled out an object and stabbed the home occupant.”
Eassie said the object was an “edged weapon” but he could not say for sure if it was a knife.
A second resident tried unsuccessfully to restrain one of the intruders.
No detailed descriptions of the suspects were available.
Eassie said investigators often hold back details while waiting for more information to develop in a case.
The intruders appear to have chosen the home randomly, he said. “There’s nothing that would tie our victims to this type of activity at all.”
A Saanich police dog team that responded to the home found several items nearby that might have been left behind by the suspects.
Also located was a vehicle believed to have been driven from the home by one of the suspects. A search warrant for the vehicle was obtained and executed.
Eassie said the incident prompts basic advice to people about how to avoid being a victim of a residential crime.
“Remain vigilant and make sure that your windows and doors are closed and locked at night. That’s going to be your best safeguard against somebody unlawfully entering your home.”
