Sword-wielding man arrested in central Victoria

Police in Victoria are appealing for witnesses after a man brandishing a sword and knife was arrested in the city center last weekend.

Saturday around 4 p.m., officers received a report of a man allegedly waving weapons at people in a “threatening manner” and he was apprehended in the 800 block of Yates Street.

“The suspect ignored officers’ instructions and resisted arrest, so a conductive energy weapon, commonly referred to as a Taser, was deployed,” Victoria Police wrote in a news release Tuesday.

“The suspect, while still armed, continued to resist arrest until officers were finally able to take him into custody with the assistance of additional responding members.”

The suspect, identified as Robert Allen Dick, was taken to the hospital for treatment and then booked into jail, police said.

He has been charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, and one count each of possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and violating a release order.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654 ext. 1, or leave an anonymous tip to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.