At about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, Victoria police officers responded to a report of a smoke grenade being discharged inside a restaurant in the 500-block of Fisgard Street.
The Victoria Police Department says, due to a delay in receiving the report, the building had already been evacuated when police arrived. Investigators say over 30 patrons were inside the restaurant at the time of the incident, and there may have been additional witnesses nearby.
The incident follows an earlier report of a break and enter at the same location, just before 8:30 a.m. the same day. Officers received a call from a witness who observed a male break through the front door with a rock and enter the building.
"After fleeing on foot prior to police arrival, officers identified, located and arrested the suspect less than two hours after the incident occurred. The suspect was released with conditions not to return to the business and to attend a future court date. Investigators believe the male who committed the break and enter is also responsible for the smoke grenade incident," noted a release from VicPD.
Police are asking witnesses, victims inside the restaurant when the smoke grenade was used, or anyone with information to assist with the investigation, to call the E-Comm report desk at 250-995-7654 extension 1 and reference file number 24-28443.
