A 31-year-old man was taken into police custody following a violent arrest at Brooks Landing in Nanaimo on Thursday afternoon. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

dangerous situation

Weapons, drugs seized during ‘violent struggle’ & arrest at Nanaimo shopping centre

Mar 18, 2022 | 11:18 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties have a man in custody after a volatile arrest outside a Nanaimo grocery store.

Officers were called to the Save-On-Foods at Brooks Landing along the Island Hwy. around 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, after a man failed to stop for security at the store.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW, a 31-year-old man who is known to them, was arrested after what he described as a “violent struggle”.

“Earlier in the day, [the man] had been seen walking around in camouflage clothes with a bow and arrow and a hatchet. While arresting him, they found the bow and arrow, they did not find the hatchet but they found brass knuckles.”

Five officers were needed to subdue the man who was placed into handcuffs but quickly passed out. O’Brien said police transitioned to emergency first aid and removed the man from view of the public.

Play Ball

Senior Mid Island Pirates begin Premier Baseball League season

3h ago

voting day

Voters to cast ballots for proposed Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion

5h ago

Opening Game Loss

Clippers can't take advantage of hot start in Game 1 loss in Cowichan

12h ago

Two officers on scene, with advanced first aid training, tended to the man and couldn’t find anything physically wrong with him. When paramedics arrived, they conducted similar checks to the same conclusion.

The man regained consciousness en route to Nanaimo hospital where he was examined again for a third clean bill of health before being returned to police custody, where he remains.

No charges have been laid, however the man faces multiple counts including resisting arrest. Officers also confiscated a quantity of illegal drugs and other materials which could lead to drug possession and trafficking charges.

In the aftermath of the arrest, O’Brien noted a number of social media posts spreading a false rumour police had used deadly force in the situation.

“Several hours the incident there were several posts made to social media that our officers had actually shot this individual, that couldn’t be further from the truth and is an absolute 100 per cent fabrication. Our officers used appropriate intervention to take this person in control.”

O’Brien called the posts “totally inappropriate” while commending the work of the arresting officers in dealing with a volatile situation in the public eye.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW