Victoria police arrested a man after a woman was attacked with a hammer in a park in James Bay Monday morning.
At 9:45 a.m., officers on patrol were called to Irving Park in the 200-block of Menzies Street to deal with a loud verbal disagreement. Officers en route to the call learned a man had destroyed a woman’s tent with a baseball bat, then assaulted her with a hammer.
Police found the suspect in his own tent and took him into custody without incident.
B.C. Ambulance paramedics treated the victim at the scene.
The 48-year-old man, who has a criminal record of more than 50 convictions, is being held in custody. Police are recommending charges of assault with a weapon, breach of probation and breaching the conditions of his release.
Police do not believe it was a case of intimate-partner violence, although they continue to investigate.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Victoria police report desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
