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UPDATE: Suspect in Saanich assault located; police need elderly woman to come forward

Female arrested shortly after May 25 incident, spitting on officer brings different charge
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The Saanich Police Department are hoping a woman shoved to the ground in a random assault on Oak Street near the Saanich Road McDonald’s restaurant comes forward, so charges can be laid against a suspect now in custody. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich police are working backwards, in a way, to see charges pressed in the case of a random assault of an older woman Wednesday on Oak Street near Saanich Road.

An eyewitness who called in just after 6 p.m. May 25 reported seeing someone push a woman to the ground as she walked on the sidewalk toward Saanich Road, near the entrance to the McDonald’s restaurant parking lot.

A woman matching the suspect description given by the witness was located, and as officers attempted to arrest her, one of the officers was spat on by the suspect. That was enough for police to keep the woman in custody and recommend a charge of assaulting a peace officer, to be heard by a judge Friday afternoon, according to Saanich police Sgt. Damian Kowalewich.

The woman in custody is also identified in a video secured from the McDonald’s, he said. But the identity of the woman shoved to the ground cannot be determined. Kowalewich said without her sworn statement about the incident, securing charges against the suspect is highly unlikely based on witness statements alone.

“So right now we’re focusing our efforts on identifying the older adult,” he said.

Police encourage the woman who was shoved down to contact police so appropriate supports can be provided to her. The department can be contacted at 250-475-4321 or information can be reported anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

ALSO READ: Man arrested after employees assaulted, chased with knife at Saanich liquor store


 

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