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Teen who spat on bus driver arrested in housing complex

Saanich police dog Taz tracked the suspect's scent right to the police cruiser where the arrested teen was being held.

A B.C. Transit driver was spit on and grabbed by a young passenger last Friday, prompting Saanich police to search a nearby housing complex for the culprits.

The incident occurred late Friday night as two teenage boys were getting off the bus behind the Tillicum Shopping Centre.

One of the teens allegedly spat on the driver, and then grabbed and pulled at him. A transit supervisor was able to follow the suspects into the Burnside Gardens residential area across Burnside Road.

"We're still not sure what precipitated this," Sgt. Dean Jantzen said.

A description of the teen suspect was provided to police, and an officer who went into the housing complex spotted someone who matched the youth’s likeness.

The young man was stopped and arrested.

Saanich police dog Taz, following the suspect's smell from the transit bus, tracked the scent right to the police cruiser where the arrested teen was being held.

The 16-year-old was released into the custody of a parent, and could face an assault charge.

kslavin@saanichnews.com