VicPD
A man with several prior assault convictions was arrested after an incident in downtown Victoria last week. 

Police said he was reported to have spit on an employee at a food retailer. He also allegedly hit her with a shopping cart. 

On Jan. 4, just before noon, VicPD received a report of an assault in progress at a business in the 700-block of Yates Street. 

“The suspect attempted to punch the victim while making racists comments, then proceeded to spit on her and push a shopping cart into her stomach,” the department said.

Officers located and arrested the suspect at the scene. 

The victim was transported to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. 

Police said the suspect is well known, with hundreds of prior contacts, including several incidents resulting in assault-related convictions.  

“The repeat nature of this offender is concerning and attacks like this can impact our collective sense of security,” says VicPD Chief Del Manak. 

“VicPD is pursuing all the tools in our toolbox to mitigate the risk chronic offenders like this impose, while fully acknowledging the limits that exist within the criminal justice system today.” 

The suspect currently remains in custody pending a future court date.