An off-duty fisheries officer is being credited with netting a would-be thief at the Parksville beer and wine store on Thursday.
Oceanside RCMP Corporal Jesse Foreman reported the incident took place just after 11 p.m. when police responded to a report of a break and enter in progress at the Bayside Liquor Store on Dogwood Street in Parksville.
When they arrived at the scene however, police officers found an 18-year-old Parksville man being held in custody by the DFO officer, who had witnessed the crime in progress.
Foreman said the suspect is alleged to have used a wooden pallet to smash the glass out of the front door to the business. He then entered and grabbed two bottles of liquor before attempting to flee.
However, as he left the building, the off-duty DFO official apprehended the suspect, physically restraining him until police arrival.
The suspect was taken into police custody, and subsequently remanded to await his first Provincial Court appearance on June 5.
“The RCMP recognizes the efforts of this off-duty peace officer, who stepped in to assist,” Foreman said. “Given the high level of training and skill this officer possessed, he was able to quickly analyze the situation and assess that he could safely intervene and apprehend this suspect.”