29 charges recommended after police arrest fraud suspect

A Victoria man is currently in custody and facing 29 charges after officers arrested him on May 18.

The man was arrested for a fraud on Esquimalt and officers discovered that he was carrying a cache of weapons and illegal drugs.

Officers were first called to a business on the 800 block of Esquimalt Road on May 17 for a report of two men who had passed counterfeit currency.

Police recognized one of the suspects from the description and began searching for his accomplice.

The next day, police were called to the 1500 block of Fort Street for the report of two men who appeared to be taking off handcuffs.

The description of one of the men matched that of the fraud from the day before.

An hour later, they were spotted near the intersection of Douglas and Yates Street.

One of the men turned his back and refused to show his hands to the officers. When he turned around he had a knife in his hands.

The officer was able to safely disarm him and take him into custody.

According to police, the man began to fight with officers and OC spray was deployed for assistance.

Upon searching the man, five knives, including a prohibited switchblade, an asp baton, bear spray, illegal drugs, a replica handgun and over $7,000 in counterfeit currency was found.

Officers were able to link the man to two additional fraud investigations.

He was held in custody for court, with officers recommending 29 charges including six counts of possession of concealed weapons, five counts of fraud under $5,000, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of counterfeit currency, one count of possession of a prohibited weapon, eight counts of breach of probation and six counts of breach of recognizance.

Patrol officers believe that the man may be involved in additional frauds involving counterfeit currency.

The second man was arrested for breaching his probation and released on a promise to appear.