A 29-year-old Victoria man was arrested Monday morning following an attempted armed robbery of a gas station.
Saanich police say the man entered the PetroCan in the 3900-block of Shelbourne St. just after 1 a.m. while wearing a pair of underwear on his head to conceal his face, and a pair of sunglasses.
Before the suspect had even approached the front counter, the lone employee pressed the store's panic button to notify police.
The employee told the suspect that police had been contacted. The suspect then produced a box-cutter and swung at the employee, but missed. The suspect then exited the store.
A witness to the incident was able to follow the suspect from a distance, while relaying information to police. Saanich officers arrested Christopher Edwards in a parking lot near McKenzie Avenue and Cedar Hill Road. He faces one charge of robbery.
Sgt. Steve Eassie says police do not recommend victims disobey a would-be thief brandishing a weapon. He said the employee did the right thing in contacting police immediately.
Edwards is expected to appear in court in late April.
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Police hunt for suspect in two Saanich bank robberies
Saanich police are looking for a man they believe twice robbed the Vancity Credit Union on Cedar Hill Cross Road.
The first incident occurred around 4 p.m. on March 21. The second occurred around 6 p.m. on April 11. In both cases the suspect approached a teller, produced a note and demanded cash.
He made off with an undisclosed amount of money in both robberies.
Sgt. Steve Eassie says investigators have recovered surveillance footage from the two events and believe the same person is responsible for both.
He said they have identified persons of interest and are looking to speak with them before they release photos of the suspect to the public.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call 250-475-4321.
editor@saanichnews.com