A Port Alberni homeowner was assaulted after attempting to confront a break and enter suspect last weekend.
On Sunday, Jan. 6 at almost 10 a.m., Port Alberni RCMP responded to a report of a man who was assaulted after confronting a man that he believed had broken into his home.
A homeowner in the 4500-block of Burde Street had noticed that his door was open and wet footprints were on the floor inside. According to RCMP, he saw a man running away westbound down the alley and proceeded to chase the man down and confront him. The suspect then assaulted the homeowner with a blunt object he was carrying before running away.
The homeowner returned to his residence, having suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
A nearby neighbour called police around the same time to report that her boyfriend was acting strange and running up and down an alley. The 46-year-old man was located and found to be the man involved in the assault. He was arrested without incident and is facing charges of break and enter and assault with a weapon. He will appear in court on March 27.
This wasn’t the only break and enter that occurred over the weekend. On Thursday, Jan. 3 at 9 p.m., Port Alberni RCMP responded to report a break and enter and theft to a residence located in the 5800-block of Brown Road.
A father checking in on his son’s residence had noticed a white pickup truck with canopy parked in the alley behind the house. A man in a hoodie walked through the yard to the truck and drove away. The father found that the detached garage had been broken into, and a large tool box and vacuum were missing.
A short time later, police located the suspect vehicle fueling up at the Husky station on Third Avenue. Police arrested two Port Alberni men without incident in relation to the break and enter and possession of stolen property. The vehicle was seized and the stolen property recovered.
A search of the men following the arrest located a small amount of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Both men are facing charges of break and enter and theft under $5000 and will appear in court on Jan. 30.
