A man suspected of stealing three bottles of wine pulled out a two-foot sword and swung it at staff when confronted in a Sooke liquor store.
Sooke RCMP were called about 5:30 p.m. Sunday with a report of a robbery in progress at the Sooke Road store.
Store employees in a vehicle followed the man from a safe distance after he ran off and directed police to his location.
The man did not initially comply with police direction, but was eventually arrested and found to have both the sword and the wine in his possession.
“This was a dangerous situation that fortunately resulted in the safe arrest of the suspect by police without anyone being hurt,” said Sgt. Kevin Shaw, who is in charge of operations for Sooke RCMP. “In situations like these, we always recommend to call the police immediately and then, only if safe to do so, provide us with updates of the suspect from a safe place.
“As evidenced here, what appears to be a ‘minor’ incident can rapidly turn violent without warning. That’s what we are here to deal with.”
Police ask anyone with information on this incident to call 250-642-5241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
