The man accused of scamming a 90-year-old Victoria man out of more than $200,000 has been arrested after being on the run for almost a month.
Richard William Patterson was appeared in provincial court in Victoria Law Courts on today to face new charges in connection with violating court-ordered conditions and leaving the Island ahead of his trial.
Victoria police realized he was gone at the end of December, said Const. Mike Russell, Victoria police spokesperson.
Patterson, then 47 years old and of no fixed address, was first arrested in August 2011 by VicPD officers after RBC tellers reported their concern that a customer was paying out large cheques for renovations on his Oaklands home.
But when the tellers went to the senior citizen's home they didn't see any work being done, and contacted police.
The senior lived alone at the time.
After Patterson, who police say is well-known to them, left the Island, VicPD notified Manitoba police that he may be in their jurisdiction. He was spotted five days later on Jan. 23 by police officers with the Manitoba Integrated Warrant Apprehension Unit in Norway House, Man., almost 950 kilometers north of Winnipeg.
"For them to find him in five days in a little town that has a population of about 6,000 - we're certainly appreciative of their efforts," Russell said.
After confirming Patterson's identity with Victoria investigators, Norway House RCMP officers made the arrest Jan. 25. The accused was brought back to Victoria by the B.C. Sheriffs Fugitive Escort Team.
Patterson faces one charge each of fraud over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, false pretence and two charges of breaching court conditions.