Nanaimo RCMP are searching for a violent offender who twice broke into the home of a woman he had had a relationship with in the past.
In the first incident, 26-year-old David Arlen Thomas broke into the north Nanaimo home in which his ex and her child resided.
The woman called police upon seeing Thomas trying to pry open a locked window to her home. Officers arrived and were unable to locate him, but found that he was in breach of earlier convictions that prohibit him from being at the woman’s residence, and from possessing break in tools.
At the time, investigators issued a warrant for his arrest for charges of Break and Enter.
More recently, on June 7, Thomas again broke into the same residence while the woman was inside. She was able to flee from her home, but was chased by the suspect.
Thomas allegedly dislodged a can of bear spray at the victim. Fortunately the woman was not seriously injured, but the suspect fled on his bicycle before police arrived.
“These were terrifying experiences for the female and it appears the violence is escalating,” says Cst. Gary O’Brien.
“We are doing what we can to help with her personal safety and we are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Thomas and to hold him accountable for his actions.”
The suspect is described as an Indigenous man standing 5’7″ tall and weighing 140 lbs. He also has a distinctive tattoo on his outer left forearm which spells the word ‘Indian’.
Anyone who knows of Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
