One man with an ‘extensive’ criminal history in the area is in custody after reports of an attack of an employee at the Spruceland Mall, police say.
Mounties report the attack happened on Monday morning and he was arrested within three minutes of the initial calls after witness accounts.
Employees of the retail location say they asked the man to leave as they suspected him of shoplifting.
When retail staff approached the man he reportedly became belligerent and hit one of the employees, witnesses report.
“While searching the suspect’s bag and coat for stolen property belonging to the retail establishment in question, police began locating items which they recognized from recent break and enter reports,” said Constable Jennifer Cooper.
They found items like laptops, surveying equipment, iPads, bankcards, webcams and small tools among the suspect’s belongings.
“Many items had the names of local businesses on them,” she said.
Members transported the suspect to the Prince George RCMP Detachment, where they confirmed his identity as William McBride.
Cooper says officers are ‘very familiar’ with McBride, as he has an ‘extensive’ history in the area.
Mr. McBride stayed at the police detachment until court on March 16.
The B.C. Prosecution Service approved twelve charges against McBride, including:
– Break and enter
– Assault
– Possession of stolen property over $5000
– Possession of stolen property under $5000 x4
– Mischief
– Fail to comply with release order x2
– Fail to comply with probation order x2
McBride will remain in custody until his next court appearance in April.
Police say they will continue to investigate these and other break and enters in the area where he is a suspect.
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