Two men have been charged close to six years after a “vicious” robbery and assault involving a machete in Oak Bay.
Saanich police, whose major crime unit conducted the lengthy investigation into the case, said Nermeen Alireza was alone in her home in the 2500 block of Esplanade Road about 7 a.m. on April 25, 2017 when an unknown man attacked her.
Alireza had heard noises in the kitchen and went to investigate, and came upon the man.
She received “significant life-altering injuries” to her arm and hand before the man fled, police said.
Responding officers could not locate him.
But on Sunday, police arrested 30-year-old Kaspar Handspiker in the Maple Ridge area. He has been remanded in custody on charges of aggravated assault, breaking-and-entering and robbery.
Christopher Standell, 52, was also charged in relation to the incident and is facing one count of accessory after the fact to breaking-and-entering and robbery.
In a statement, Alireza said she and her family were relieved to hear of the arrests, which she credited to the “tireless efforts” of Saanich and Oak Bay police. “I am truly grateful to everyone that was involved and would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to both police departments, the Oak Bay Fire Department, ambulance service, hospital staff and surgeons, as well as the Island Hand Therapy Clinic.”
Oak Bay Police Chief Mark Fisher said the attack had a big impact on the community.
“Supporting this investigation has been a priority for our department and I hope that these charges bring some level of comfort to the victim and those impacted by this crime,” he said. “This investigation required a great deal of commitment, dedication, and perseverance on the part of the investigative team.”
Fisher said the case is another example of the value of Oak Bay’s service agreement with the Saanich Police Department for major-crime investigations.
No further details will be provided since there have been formal charges and the matter is before the courts, said Saanich police Const. Markus Anastasiades.
Saanich detectives said in April 2022 that they were looking for anyone who had seen a blue Ford Explorer Sport Trac in the Sooke area on April 26, 2017. The request came after a secondary crime scene now confirmed to be related to the primary investigation was discovered.
Oak Bay police said a few months after the attack that it was random. The day after it happened, they advised residents to lock their doors and be vigilant.
Schools in the area were placed in “hold-and-secure” mode that day, meaning exterior doors were locked while normal activities continued.
While random and violent home invasions are rare, Oak Bay also had one in August 2014, when a resident of a St. Patrick Street home was attacked with a crowbar after interrupting a break-in.
An arrest was made the next day in downtown Victoria.
