A 33-year-old man was arrested, accused of a pair of Wednesday, Jan 25 home invasions in the Cedar area. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

break and enter

Cedar residents fight off intruder during break-ins, neighbours use garden tools to contain suspect

Jan 26, 2023 | 2:30 PM

NANAIMO — Cedar turned out to be unhospitable territory for a man accused of a pair of derailed break-ins.

Mounties were called to a pair of Cedar area properties on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in response to a male suspect Nanaimo RCMP say invaded a pair of homes.

RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said it started at about 3:30 p.m. in the Yellow Point area where a homeowner came face-to-face with an intruder.

A fight ensued where the assailant sustained a head injury, resulting in significant blood loss, O’Brien said. The wounded assailant was able to run off.

“Our officers were on scene quickly, along with Police Dog Services, but we were unable to locate him,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Nursing a significant injury, the suspect wasn’t ready to call it a day, police allege.

“About two-and-a-half hours later we get a report from the 1700 block of Woobank Rd. that a suspect was seen trying to break into another home. In this particular case the neighbours came together and they held him at bay with garden tools until such time that our guys got there and arrested him.”

The break-ins occurred about two kilometers from each other, O’Brien said.

The suspect was transported to Nanaimo hospital for treatment, then transferred to Nanaimo RCMP cells where he remains.

“Great job on the neighbours part to detain this individual without going hands on, allowing our members to take him into custody.”

O’Brien said charges are not being considered against the first victim who fought back.

“He feared for his safety; he feared for himself and his property,” O’Brien said.

Several outstanding arrest warrants related to allegations in the Cowichan Valley were in effect against the man, O’Brien noted.

Charges have not been laid, meaning the suspect cannot be named at this time.

O’Brien said a stolen car police allege was used by the suspect was located in Cedar.

The incident involved numerous police resources, creating concern and social media speculation regarding what was happening.

O’Brien said the incidents required a sizeable, swift response due to the brazen and unpredictable actions of the accused.

Police recovered a number of stolen items from the two homes and more may be stashed in the surrounding area.

If anyone finds anything out of place, they’re asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP.

Police are asking anyone with further information to contact the detachment at 250-754 -2345, quoting file number 2023-2861.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes