Victoria police arrested a man Tuesday evening at a downtown restaurant after he bit a customer and punched a staff member who asked him to put on a mask.
Officers were called to a restaurant in the 700-block of Yates Street shortly after 7 p.m. for a report of an assault.
Restaurant staff and customers told police a man who was believed to be intoxicated by drugs walked into the restaurant without a face mask. When a staff member asked the man to put on a mask, he punched the staff member. Several people restrained the man until police arrived. The man bit a customer while he was being restrained, police said.
The man was arrested for assault causing bodily harm.
Officers took him to VicPD cells, where he was held until he was no longer intoxicated, then released on conditions.
Police are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with information to call the VicPD Report Desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
In Saanich, police issued two tickets Tuesday totalling $460 to someone who refused to wear a mask inside two stores. Saanich police said the person was belligerent with staff and officers. The person received one ticket for failing to wear a face covering and another for abusive or belligerent behaviour.
Tickets were issued yesterday to a person who refused to wear a mask inside two stores in #Saanich. They were belligerent with staff and officers when they attended to investigate. We would like to thank the businesses for calling us for assistance. #WeAreHereForYou #Community pic.twitter.com/XzPmbq0agD
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) February 10, 2021
