The suspect in an armed robbery in Sidney on Nov. 2 is in court today (Nov. 6), facing nine charges ranging from concealing his face during commission of a crime and uttering threats, to dangerous driving and prowling at night.
According to Sidney North Saanich RCMP Sgt. Wayne Connelly, a man entered the Sidney Pharmacy on Bevan Avenue just after 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2. Armed with a handgun, the male suspect allegedly robbed the pharmacy of various drugs and fled to a vehicle parked in a rear lot. After leaving the scene, Connelly reported that the vehicle the suspect was driving, collided with another car at the corner of Fifth Street and Orchard Avenue, then struck a parked vehicle — after which the suspect got out of his vehicle and fled. Police later learned the suspect's vehicle had been stolen out of Saanich. The driver of the other vehicle had minor injuries as a result of the crash.
The details of what transpired that evening came to police through any bystanders and witnesses, said Connelly.
"Information from witnesses gave us a very good description of the suspect and information on events as they unfolded from beginning to end," he explained.
The RCMP set up a perimeter in the neighbourhood and called in the police dog team. A suspect, however, was not immediately located.
At around 11 p.m., police were called by a resident in the 100 block of Seventh Street, indicating there was a man hiding in a backyard. Upon arrival, RCMP officers found a man hiding there and arrested him. The man fit the description of the robbery suspect and police found both the handgun and the stolen drugs.
The handgun, said Connelly, turned out to be an unloaded pellet gun.
"When police and the public work together," continued Connelly, "it's the ultimate in crime prevention."
The suspect was held in custody over the weekend, leading up to his court appearance in Victoria. He is facing charges of armed robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, trespassing or prowling at night, break and enter, uttering threats, wearing a mask during the commission of a crime and breach of a court order.