UPDATE: VicPD have located the men and spoken with them. They have confirmed there was no criminal intent. It has also been confirmed they’re the same men from the earlier call in Saanich.
— original:
Saanich Police, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, are currently in the area of Mt. Tolmie and McKenzie Avenue searching for two suspicious men.
The incident, which began around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, saw a massive police response and businesses once again locked down near the location of Tuesday’s bank incident.
As described by a witness, the two men were seen wearing army type outfits and possibly carrying a long gun.
The first man is described as being in his 30s, and had white beard. He was wearing full camouflage, and a dark backpack an beige case slung over his shoulder
The second man described as being in his 20s with dark hair and dark skin. He had a navy black camouflage top on.
We are still searching for 2 suspicious males from Mt. Tolmie to McKenzie Ave. As described by a witness, the two males were seen wearing army type outfits and possibly carrying a long gun. RCMP ERT are helping on ground and in the air. (The male from earlier was unrelated).
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) July 1, 2022
Police are conducting ground searches with the assistance of an RCMP helicopter.
“The public is urged to call Saanich Police if you see persons matching these descriptions,” said Sgt. Damian Kowalewich.
At this time, police said there is no information to support this being associated to the BMO robbery on June 28th, that saw two bank robbers killed and six members of the Greater Victoria Response team injured during a shootout.
Earlier, around the same time as the ongoing incident, Saanich Police say one person is in custody after they investigated reports of a suspicious person with a long gun in a carrying case, just one block away from the deadly bank shootout.
When the incident first began today, people were asked to remain inside, businesses were asked to remain closed, and employees were asked to remain indoors.
We have heavy police presence in the area of Richmond Road at Pear St to investigate a report of a suspicious person. We have one person in custody but continue to search the area. There is no public safety concerns at this time.
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) July 1, 2022
One Victoria Buzz reader said she was walking home from work when a bunch of police appeared with emergency vehicles slowly driving down Richmond Avenue and some walking behind police vehicles with weapons drawn.
“I was called to rush over to an officer and asked twice if I’d seen a person with a firearm or a long bag.”
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