Oak Bay police stopped a break-and-enter in progress, reportedly by someone with a firearm, thanks to an alert bystander.
The witness called to report an armed person breaking into a home in the 300-block of Beach Drive, off McNeill Bay.
The report came about 7:40 p.m. April 23. When police arrived, they could see a man inside through a window.
Officers gave commands to the intruder, who followed their directions and was soon arrested.
Police discovered that a window beside the front door had been broken, and a search turned up a BB gun by the door.
A 57-year-old man has been charged with breaking-and-entering, possession of an imitation firearm and mischief under $5,000.
He was released after a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court on May 15.