A case of mistaken identity led to mischief charge against Stanley Pottie of Lantzville. He's accused of smashing the driver's side window of a pickup truck he believed was his on June 10, 2022. (submitted image)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

BAT ATTACK

VIDEO: Lantzville businessman charged with mischief after baseball bat attack

Mar 21, 2023 | 4:43 PM

NANAIMO — A mischief charge has been approved against a well-known Lantzville man following a case of mistaken identity.

Police allege Stanley Pottie swung a baseball bat at four people inside a pickup truck on June 10, 2022, after he believed it was his truck which had been stolen a week prior.

The incident was captured on video by one of the people inside the truck on the side of Ware Rd. in Lantzville.

The singular charge of Mischief $5000 or under was approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service on March 8.

In the video, a man is seen with a baseball bat on his shoulder, shortly after smashing the driver’s window, telling the driver to “get out of my truck you [expletive]” as he backed away.

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Broken glass was strewn all over the interior of a truck after a man smashed through the driver’s side window after believing it was his stolen vehicle. (submitted photos)

Nanaimo RCMP responded to a call about a stolen truck on Ware Rd., however later found out the whole incident was a complete misunderstanding.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW on June 17, 2022, rear-end damage to the pickup matched damage sustained on the man’s stolen vehicle.

“It was just a doppelganger and a complete misunderstanding…had this individual just slowed down, taken a deep breath and called us to allow us to deal with it, he wouldn’t be looking at mischief charges.”

Comparing the VIN numbers and mileage on both vehicles further helped convince the bat-wielding man the truck was, in fact, not his.

Pottie has an April 25 court date to answer to the charge.

None of the allegations against Pottie have been proven in court.

In late June, Pottie was forced to pay $2,300 fine after hosting an event with more than 10 people in attendance during the height of COVID-19 restrictions in March 2021.

While Pottie has had prior civil claims filed against him, this is the first time he has been charged with a criminal offence.

He was a candidate for Mayor of Lantzville in both the 2018 and 2022 municipal elections.

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