The suspect in a string of crimes in Victoria on Thursday morning, including two attempted carjackings with a weapon, is expected to face several charges.
Victoria police said the 33-year-old man, who had been on a court-ordered undertaking not to possess weapons after assaulting a police officer, was armed with a knife when he attempted the carjackings. He also tried to steal a scooter and broke into two homes.
The crime spree began shortly before 10 a.m., when the man broke into a suite in the 1800 block of Fern Street and stole several items, police said.
Police then got a report that the same man had gone to the 1500 block of Pandora Avenue, where he tried to get into an occupied vehicle while armed with a knife. He was stymied by the person in the car, who locked the doors.
The man tried to steal a nearby scooter, but ran away when a bystander stepped in.
He then went to the 1400-block of Pandora, where he tried to get into another occupied vehicle. Police said he struck that vehicle several times and brandished his knife, but failed to get in and ran away.
He then broke into a home in a multi-unit building in the 1300 block of Stanley Avenue. When he left the building, police told him he was under arrest. The man then tried unsuccessfully to get into a ground-floor suite.
Police arrested him and took him to VicPD cells.
No one in the vehicles that the man targeted was injured, police said.
Police are recommending charges of robbery with a weapon, assault with a weapon, and break and enter.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Victoria police report desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1.
To make an anonymous report, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
