Victoria police used an ARWEN launcher to take an armed-robbery suspect into custody Saturday. ARWEN is an acronym for Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield and fires “less lethal” rounds made from materials such as foam or wood.
Darron Kloster – Times Colonist
Victoria police used an ARWEN launcher to take an armed-robbery suspect into custody Saturday.
ARWEN is an acronym for Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield and fires “less lethal” rounds made from materials such as foam or wood.
Officers were called to the 3000-block of Nanaimo Street for a report of a robbery with a firearm.
Police said a man entered a pharmacy, said he had a firearm and demanded cash. He took money from the store and fled.
Officers located a suspect on Douglas Street, near Summit Avenue, and advised him that he was under arrest.
Police said the suspect refused to comply and advanced on the officers. He refused to show his hands and reached into his waistband, police said.
Officers deployed an ARWEN round. The man was taken into custody without further incident.
Police said they did not recover a firearm from the suspect.
The man was taken to hospital by paramedics with non-life-threatening injuries. He was cleared medically and transported to cells at the Victoria Police Department ,where he is being held in custody to await a court appearance.
Police are recommending charges of robbery.
The file remains under investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident, is asked to call Victoria police at 250-995-7654, ext. 1. To report anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
