A man who attempted to rob a taxi driver was taken down quickly by a Saanich police dog unit early Sunday morning.
Just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 23, near the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and McKenzie Avenue, police received a 911 call regarding the in-progress robbery of a cab driver.
Three separate witnesses, including a motorist in the process of having their broken down car towed, watched the incident unfold.
The victim, a 57-year-old male driver for Westwind Taxi, had picked up the suspect in Langford and began driving him to Saanich when the suspect became verbally abusive and threatening.
The driver decided to turn around and take the passenger back to where he had picked him up, but the situation deteriorated quickly. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle.
The suspect then took chase and hit the driver in the face, breaking his glasses and causing minor facial injuries. The suspect then stole the cab driver’s cellphone and jacket.
Const. Justin Whittacker and police dog Taz located the suspect hiding in bushes near the Goose Trail. His belongings were recovered.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Saanich resident, is well known to police. He was out on strict conditions for other outstanding charges from Victoria, including another robbery and an assault.
nnorth@saanichnews.com