A Victoria man was arrested under the Mental Health Act after he allegedly drove deliberately into other vehicles at Nanaimo North Town Centre on Saturday, July 25. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Troy Dickson)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Man arrested after ‘driving directly into vehicles’ at Nanaimo mall

Jul 27, 2026 | 10:47 AM

NANAIMO — A Victoria-area man was arrested under the Mental Health Act after a rampage in his vehicle damaged several cars and injured multiple people.

Local Mounties were called to Nanaimo North Town Centre, near Canadian Tire, just before noon on Saturday, July 25, after reports of a dangerous driver crashing into vehicles in their grey Toyota Corolla.

“A vehicle was allegedly driving directly into vehicles and sideswiping other vehicles in the parking lot of the North Town Centre mall,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We were able to identify the vehicle, the driver and some past patterns as well.”

At least two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident, O’Brien said, with five cars damaged.

A short time later, police were alerted to a vehicle matching the description of their suspect along Wellington Rd.

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O’Brien said officers rushed to the scene and were able to arrest a 44-year-old man, believed to be intoxicated, without incident under the Mental Health Act.

He added police attempted to obtain a breath sample for alcohol intoxication, which the man refused, however other circumstances resulted in the man’s arrest and detention.

“There was some prior history…but this individual had driven from Victoria to here. Based on [officers] observations on scene, there was a marked departure from normal. Questions being asked, the behaviour, that formed the opinion there was a mental health issue at play, coupled with some drug abuse as well.”

O’Brien said the man was taken to hospital for a physical and psychological assessment, and as of Monday, July 27, he remains admitted.

Investigators are considering multiple Criminal Code charges against the man.

Anyone with information or video footage of the incident who has not already spoken with Nanaimo RCMP officers is asked to contact the local detachment at 250 754 2345.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Man arrested after ‘driving directly into vehicles’ at Nanaimo mall

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