Nanaimo RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for allegedly breaking into the home of his former partner twice and using bear spray on her.
David Arlen Thomas, 26, is considered violent and should not be approached, police say.
Police said a man tried to pry open a locked window at a woman’s home in north Nanaimo on March 23.
The woman fled the house with her child.
On June 7, the woman’s home was broke into again. She ran away, but a man chased her and sprayed bear spray at her.
The woman was not seriously injured and the man left on a bike before officers arrived.
Officers have not been able to find Thomas, who is prohibited from going to the woman’s house and from owning tools used for breaking into a home based on previous convictions. Investigators believe he is actively evading police.
“These were terrifying experiences for the female and it appears the violence is escalating,” said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“We are doing what we can to help with her personal safety and we are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Thomas.”
Thomas is also wanted for breaching his probation.
He is described as Indigenous, with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He is about five-foot-seven tall and weighs about 140 pounds.
Thomas has a distinctive tattoo spelling “Indian” on his outer left forearm.
Anyone with information on Thomas’s whereabouts is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
