Officers flood Colwood neighbourhood searching for suspect in attempted assault

RCMP officers flooded a Colwood neighbourhood near Royal Roads University early Sunday searching for a suspect who allegedly attempted to ram three people on foot in Victoria with his vehicle.

Victoria police said they were called to Dallas Road and Linden Avenue around 4 a.m. after a man reportedly tried to ram a woman and her two friends. The man then got out of his vehicle and tried to assault one of the people with a weapon, but narrowly missed, police said. No one was injured.

Police said the attacker fled the area in his vehicle.

The suspect was spotted about an hour later in Colwood, and West Shore RCMP officers with police dogs responded. They found the suspect’s empty vehicle near Royal Roads University. The suspect has not been located.

“We understand the concern of seeing so many police officers in a quiet community on a Sunday morning,” said Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the B.C. RCMP. “We want to reassure the public that we believe the suspect is no longer in the area but are continuing efforts to locate him through investigative means, in partnership with VicPD.”

VicPD said they believe it is an isolated incident and that there’s no risk to public safety, because the suspect and one of the victims knew each other. The suspect is also known to police.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 250-995-7654. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. —