Man pursued in robbery at Saanich Centre
Saanich police are searching for a man suspected of robbery with a firearm in a Tuesday incident at Saanich Centre.
He is considered armed and dangerous.
Police responded about 1:30 p.m. to a report of a fight at the Quadra Street and McKenzie Avenue shopping complex, and were informed while heading there that a weapon might have been involved.
It was determined the incident began when a loss-prevention officer from London Drugs stopped a man outside the store on suspicion of shoplifting. The suspect pulled out a firearm and fled, going south on the Lochside Regional Trail. Just after fleeing, he stole a black Miele electric bike from someone on the trail.
The situation prompted a brief “hold-and-secure” alert at nearby Reynolds Secondary School, requiring students and teachers to stay where they were.
Video surveillance images led police to identify Michael Godolphin, 37, as the suspect. He is described as white, five-foot-seven and 175 pounds with a shaved head and two teardrop tattoos near his right eye.
He has a written tattoo on the back part of his neck.
Godolphin was last seen wearing black Adidas, straight-leg pants with three stripes down the sides, a black T-shirt, and black hoodie with white writing on the front. He has arrest warrants for other offences as well, police said.
Police said anyone who sees Godolphin should call 911 and not approach him.