A man who broke into a Broad Street surf shop and stole $16,000 worth of Nixon watches eventually led Victoria police to a home packed with stolen goods and the arrest of two suspects.
Victoria police said they also found items linked to the Norteños gang, a Mexican-American street gang with a presence in the federal prison system in California. Police are concerned the items may mean the gang is trying to establish a foothold in Victoria.
A man smashed the front window of Coastline Surf & Sport at 1417 Broad St. about 5:15 a.m. Saturday and stole more than 50 watches from a locked display case as well as backpacks and skateboards, said store owner Mike Redpath.
The man was caught on the store’s video surveillance. Investigating officers believe they recognized the suspect.
Using covert surveillance, investigators tracked the man to a home at 1121 Kings Rd., where police allege two men were taking stolen goods in exchange for drugs, said Victoria police spokesman Const. Mike Russell.
Police obtained a search warrant and raided the home Tuesday with armed tactical officers with the Emergency Response Team. Two men were arrested without incident.
Inside the home, police found ecstasy and marijuana, some of the watches and items linked to Saturday’s break-in, as well as other break-ins downtown. They also found a bullet-proof vest, bear spray and nunchuks.
The most disturbing find, Russell said, were the many pieces of clothing, graffiti and other items associated with the Norteños gang.
Victoria police have in the past dealt with the Red Scorpion gang, which is linked to the Lower Mainland.
“Any time we see a gang that’s trying to set up in town, that is certainly concerning to us,” Russell said. “That’s why we have teams like the strike force and crime reduction unit, so we try to stay on top of those things before they grow to a bigger problem.”
Jason Sheena, 42, who grew up in California but now lives in Victoria, is charged with possession of stolen property obtained by a crime and possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a court order, in relation to having bear spray in the home.
Sheena was held in custody until a court appearance in Victoria provincial court scheduled for Thursday afternoon. He did not appear in court but was released on $2,500 bail with the consent of both Crown and defence.
His conditions include no drugs, no weapons, and a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew. He must also surrender his passport and remain in B.C. He is to have no contact with Shane Wilson or Delmer Young.
Sheena is scheduled to appear in court on May 7.
Police are also recommending charges against a 31-year-old man arrested at the home but it’s unclear whether the charges against him will be approved by the Crown.
A 43-year-old man, of no fixed address, is under investigation for the original break-in.
The home on the corner of King and Prior streets is a large, two-storey residence separated into two suites. The woman who answered the door of the neighbouring suite confirmed there was an arrest on Tuesday but did not want to comment on how long the men had lived there or whether she has had problems with them.
A neighbour two houses down on Prior Street said on Tuesday evening his street was blocked off and police told him to quickly walk to his home as the arrest was taking place. He said he has never witnessed any suspicious activity at the home.
— with files from Louise Dickson
