Saanich police believe the arrest of a prolific property thief could put an end to the recent rash of thefts from vehicles.
A man, well known to police, was arrested at Tillicum Centre around 5:40 p.m. on June 4, by an officer who identified him earlier that day as a suspect caught on video breaking in to cars in the 200-block of Regina Ave.
Around 4 a.m. on June 4, police were called to the secure underground parking garage at an apartment complex on Regina Avenue after two vehicles were broken in to.
Video surveillance from the parking garage was provided to police. A Saanich officer suspected he knew who was responsible.
Police caught a break when a resident of the Regina Avenue apartment complex called police to Tillicum Centre that evening after spotting a man matching the description of the suspect. The man arrested at the mall had in his possession a bag of identical clothes worn by the suspect in the video.
Liam Charles Williams, a 32-year-old Langford resident, faces two counts of thefts from vehicles.
Sgt. Steve Eassie said Williams was arrested in late May by Central Saanich police and was released on conditions. Since his release, there was "a dramatic spike" in thefts from autos in Saanich, until his arrest on June 4.
Earlier this month Saanich police said 14 thefts from autos were reported in the first four days of June. A total of 37 were reported in May, which was at least double the number from recent months.
Williams is being held until his next court appearance.
kslavin@saanichnews.com