Victoria, BC – VicPD detectives are looking for four men after a home invasion left a five-year-old boy and his parents suffering from the effects of pepper spray.
Officers responded to a townhouse in the 300-block of Robert Street just after 4 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, August 16th after the victims awoke to masked men kicking their way into the home. The father of the family confronted the assailants and was pepper sprayed in the face. His wife called police and screamed out her bedroom window for help, awakening and alerting neighbours, causing the assailants to flee. The couple and their young son were all in the home at the time of the incident and all suffered from the effects of the pepper spray. They were treated by B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics. Nothing appears to have been taken and investigators have yet to determine a reason why this family was targeted.
“It is possible that the suspects simply got the wrong house,” said Detective Cst. Kris Rice. “What is deeply concerning about this attack is the impact on this young boy and his family.”
Witnesses described the four assailants fleeing the scene in a dark green or black SUV, similar to a Jeep Cherokee, with “flashy” wheels and a loud engine exhaust. While persons of interest have been identified, investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.
“Right now, there are four individuals out there who entered a family’s home in the middle of the night and terrorized them, leaving behind a five-year-old boy suffering from the effects of pepper spray,” Detective Cst. Rice said. “We need anyone who saw something in the area that night or who may have information about this incident to come forward.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call police, either by calling the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654, anonymously thorough Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through the VicPD Detective Tip Line at 250-995-7444.
