VicPD are investigating another random attack in Victoria that saw a man threatened with a knife yesterday.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, a man called 911 to report that he had just been approached by another man who had tried to stab him.
The incident occurred in the area of Blanshard and Hill Streets. The caller told dispatchers the unknown man approached him, then threatened him and brandished a weapon.
Remaining a distance away from the suspect, the caller relayed the suspect’s location to the 911 call taker. With that information, officers were able to locate the suspect and take him into custody at gunpoint.
Police said they located a multi-tool in the man’s possession.
“Officers recognized the suspect, who had been arrested and released earlier in the day for breaching court-ordered conditions not to possess knives,” VicPD said in a statement.
The suspect faces recommended charges for assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breaching conditions.
This incident is now the third known incident where a random attack has occurred over the past week.
On Saturday, a man was randomly suckered punch while walking along Dallas Road, and last Wednesday, VicPD issued a warning after a woman was randomly attacked from behind in James Bay last Saturday.
The woman, who was walking her dog at the time of the attack, suffered head and facial injuries.
“Officers are responding to increasing numbers of reports of random attacks. If you are assaulted or confronted by someone, please get yourself to safety by moving away from that person to a well-populated location, and call 911,” VicPD said in a statement.
Last week, the BC government announced it is taking steps to address prolific offenders, hiring two experts to investigate necessary actions to curb an uptick in random violent attacks across the province.
A report released in April by the British Columbia’s Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC) found crime patterns are shifting and hurting downtown retail areas more than ever, despite an overall decrease in crime throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The BCUMC report highlighted the “catch and release” justice cycle and data showing that when arrested, repeat offenders often go uncharged or are promptly released on bail with no conditions.
In its report, the BCUMC cited 204 offenders from 10 urban cities, including Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Nanaimo, who together have racked up over 11,500 police reports.
In Victoria specifically, one offender generated 248 police incidents locally and across Vancouver Island, with 55 charges submitted to the BC Prosecution Service and 22 convictions received. Charges ranged from theft to assault.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
