BC man arrested after allegedly stealing forklift and using it to break into a store

Police have arrested a man following a break and enter that was done with a stolen forklift.

On July 18, 2024, at about 1:30 am, Saanich Police received a report of a break and enter at a bike store in the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre.

The caller reported that the forklift was used to smash into the front of the business, and then it was driven away with bikes hanging off of it.

Officers attended the area and located a forklift stopped in the middle of the 800 block of Royal Oak Drive with no one at the controls.

A witness told officers that the driver had fled into a nearby field, and Police Service Dog (PSD) Bruno and his handler successfully tracked and located the suspect hiding in some bushes nearby.

While fleeing the area and during his arrest, the suspect was injured and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The Independent Investigation Office (IIO) has been notified.

Police said the forklift was determined to have been stolen from a work site in the 4500 block of Elk Lake Drive and has been returned.

The suspect remains in custody, awaiting a court appearance.