Two home invasions involving firearms were reported within 10 hours of each other in Langford and View Royal on Friday and Saturday.
Police say they are unable to confirm whether the two incidents are related.
Police released a statement late Friday asking the public to help identify a man who allegedly brandished a handgun during a home invasion Friday afternoon in Langford.
West Shore RCMP Cpl. Nancy Saggar said in a statement that police were on scene within minutes after receiving a report of a home invasion near the 3000-block of Glen Lake Road in Langford shortly before 5 p.m.
Saggar said a man pushed his way into the home after the occupant opened the door to see why their dogs were barking.
“After the victim’s dogs challenged the suspect, he allegedly brandished a black handgun before leaving the home and running toward Alouette Drive,” Saggar said.
The home’s occupant was not hurt in the incident, she said, adding that police were unable to locate the suspect despite an extensive search and the use of a police dog.
Police initially said on Friday that there was no risk to the public. Saggar said that the victim and the man were not known to each other, and police believed that it was an one-off incident.
“Police believe this is an isolated incident as similar reports of this nature have not been received,” she said.
But West Shore RCMP said on Saturday that another home invasion involving a firearm had occurred in View Royal, just 12 hours later.
Const. Andrew Matheson said in a statement that police responded to a report of a home invasion about 2:45 a.m. in the 1500 block of Middle Road.
The suspect had entered the victim’s home through the front door, discharged a possible firearm while inside and then fled, he said.
Police said one occupant suffered minor injuries during the home invasion. The cause of the injuries was not given.
Matheson said police searched the area but were unable to locate a suspect. “At this time, police are unable to confirm whether this incident is related to the earlier one in Langford.”
The Langford home invasion suspect has been described by police as white, in his late 20s or early 30s, and clean-shaven with short-to-medium dark hair that protruded from underneath a hat. He had a dime-sized red mark on the right side of his face, possibly a scar or birthmark, and was wearing largely black and grey clothing, including athletic shoes with black and white stripes.
The View Royal home invasion suspect has been described by police as a man with dark skin who was wearing dark pants, bright white shoes, and a hoodie.
Police are asking nearby residents of Glen Lake to check surveillance cameras between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 and nearby View Royal residents to check their cameras between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Dec. 2 for any possible images of the suspects.
Anyone who sees either suspect should avoid approaching them, as they are considered dangerous and might be armed, they said.
RCMP ask anyone with information on the crimes to call the West Shore detachment at 250-474-2264.
