Saanich Police have arrested a 40-year-old man suspected of breaking into multiple businesses throughout the month of October.
Police say a total of six break-and-enters were reported in Saanich between October 2 and 26, particularly at liquor stores.
In each case, the suspect carefully removed glass windows or wall panels to gain access into the store, and stole wine, beer and other alcohol.
A vehicle associated with the suspect in these break-and-enters was stopped by a Victoria Police K9 unit on Hwy 17 near McKenzie Avenue at around 3:30 a.m. on October 26.
At the same time, in Saanich, a K9 unit discovered an overnight break-and-enter at a liquor store in the 4400 block of West Saanich Road, which involved the careful removal of a glass windowpane, indicating that the serial liquor thief had struck again.
Back in Victoria, police discovered bottles of liquor in the vehicle driven by the suspect, who was then arrested for breaking and entering.
“The suspect clearly knew how to remove large panels of glass carefully which would have afforded them a rather quiet entry into the store,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades with Saanich Police.
“This is not a common means of breaking into a building nor a skillset common without previous training or knowledge.”
He says the suspect, a 40-year-old man, is known to police.
Officers are now investigating the file to ascertain how many of the October break-and-enters the suspect committed.
