Fleeing shoplifter in Nanaimo grabs for Mountie’s gun

A Nanaimo RCMP officer dispatched to a routine shoplifting call became embroiled in a dangerous struggle with a man who grabbed at the officer’s gun and threatened to use it.

The confrontation took place around 2 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2021, when the officer, with nine years’ experience, was dispatched to London Drugs to deal with a shoplifter who had thrown cosmetics at the store’s loss prevention officer and threatened the officer with bear spray.

With police on the way, the thief ran out of the store and headed toward the waterfront. When the officer spotted the suspect, they approached him and told him he was under arrest.

“When the officer attempted to secure his wrist, the fight was on,” said RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien.

During the struggle, the suspect grabbed at the officer’s holstered firearm and repeatedly threatened to shoot the officer.

A civilian intervened, which distracted the shoplifter long enough for another officer to arrive, said O’Brien. The two officers managed to subdue the man and place him in handcuffs.

A 31-year-old Nanaimo man is facing charges of assaulting a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer and uttering threats. He will remain in police custody until his next court appearance Jan. 18.

“This was an extremely dangerous and volatile situation for the officer. It is also a stark reminder of the dangers that front-line officers are faced with,” said O’Brien.

“The officer involved is to be commended for staying in the battle, using their training and relying on their physical conditioning to successfully meet the challenge.”

The officer involved in the fight was not seriously injured and completed their shift, O’Brien said.