Man struck store employee with hatchet during robbery attempt: Victoria police

VICTORIA – Police in Victoria say a man who allegedly attacked a store employee with a hatchet he tried to steal is facing multiple charges following his arrest.

Police say an employee who attempted to stop the man from leaving without paying for various items was struck with the hatchet and ended up with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Victoria Police Department says in a release two customers stepped in to disarm the suspect, who then grabbed a box containing Remembrance Day poppies while confronting the injured employee.

Police say another staff member who intervened was also assaulted and suffered non-life-threatening injuries before the man escaped and was followed by the store manager, who was hit with a large rock.

The department says officers recognized the man from surveillance video and learned he was wanted on provincewide warrants including sexual assault and assaulting a police officer.

Police say Gary Reno of Fort Nelson faces charges of weapons possession, robbery and assault causing bodily harm.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2019.

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Parker Crook

Parker Crook is a Saskatchewan-born reporter who began his career in journalism while studying the craft at SAIT in Calgary. After cutting his teeth at the school news outlet as the Opinions Editor, Parker landed a position at a Vernon newspaper and worked his way up to the editor’s chair. Parker strives to tell stories that have a genuine impact on the community he calls home. And, from courtroom dramas to on stage antics, Parker believes meaningful stories can be found just about anywhere.