Suspect Sustains Dog Bites During Arrest

Woodlands High School locked down 

while RCMP track armed shoplifter

On Tuesday, April 05, 2016, Woodlands High School was locked down while Nanaimo RCMP officers searched for a violent shoplifter armed with a knife.

At approximately 9:20 am reports were received of a male attempting to make purchases at Home Hardware, located in the Brooks Landing Mall, with a credit card reported stolen the day before.  When confronted by employees the suspect produced a knife and fled on foot. 

Because the male was brandishing a knife and was in close proximity to Woodlands High School, School District 68 instituted a lock down.  Nanaimo RCMP officers, along with Police Dog Azar, and his handler attended. The suspect was tracked for approximately ten minutes and eventually located and arrested behind a home on Giggleswick Drive. Two knives were located on the male when he was arrested.  The suspect sustained several dog bites during his arrest and was taken to local hospital for treatment.

The 32 year male, who is well known to local police, was arrested for Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace, Breach of Probation and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card. The investigation is continuing and the suspect male may face additional charges.