A standoff of almost eight hours between Victoria police and a man who barricaded himself in a Fernwood home ended peacefully early Wednesday afternoon.
After several hours, officers obtained a warrant to enter the residence, said Victoria police civilian spokesman Bowen Osoko.
Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team officers in full gear and with weapons drawn entered the residence and took the man into custody “without further incident,” police said.
At about 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Victoria police blocked off a section of Begbie Street with police tape after a suspected drunk driver is alleged to have rammed multiple parked cars and fled into a home on Begbie Street at Chestnut Street.
Police received reports at 6:15 a.m. that a drunk man was standing in the middle of the road on Begbie Street at Pembroke Street, near Royal Jubilee Hospital.
“Officers arrived and the man attempted to flee in a vehicle, ramming multiple parked cars, including the first attending police vehicle,” Const. Matt Rutherford said. The passenger side of the police car was damaged.
No one was injured, he said.
A short distance away, the man abandoned the car — which turned out to have been reported stolen — and fled on foot, police said.
Officers believe the man ran to and barricaded himself inside a residence on Begbie Street at Chestnut Street.
Neighbouring homes were evacuated and at least one man was taken away from the Fernwood home by police.
Begbie Street between Fern Street and Pembroke Street was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for most of the day. It was re-opened by 3 p.m.
The emergency response team was called in as a precaution. Armed police surrounded the house and were stationed behind an armoured vehicle.
For hours, a police negotiator, speaking from an armoured vehicle, tried to reason with the suspect in the home. The officer reassured the man that he would be safe if he surrendered. “Come out with your hands in the air and listen to the instructions of police”, he said. “Do it now, man.”
The negotiator repeatedly said “no harm will come to you.” A police dog was on the scene and at times could be heard barking.
At one point the negotiator said: “Matt, pick up the phone and let’s have a two-way conversation.”
A nearby neighbour and his wife said in recent months the home appears to have had a new tenant. The yard has been filled with debris and there’s been lots of people and vehicles coming to and from the home, they said.
A black Chevy Impala parked on the street outside the home has a flat tire and duct tape partially holds up a rear bumper. It’s been there for weeks, the neighbours said.
The following charges are being recommended by police: dangerous operation of motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime, breaching conditions, flight from police, driving while prohibited.
