Nanaimo man faces multiple charges after downtown coffee shop incident

Nanaimo RCMP say a local man is facing several criminal charges following an incident at a downtown coffee shop earlier this week.

Police were called around noon on January 13 to a business at 8–90 Front Street after a confrontation between a customer and the store manager. The situation escalated, resulting in an assault and damage to property, according to RCMP.

The following day, the BC Prosecution Service approved five charges against 40-year-old Aiden Tye of Nanaimo. He faces charges of assault, assault with a weapon, mischief, committing an indecent act in public, and exposure of an indecent exhibition.

Tye remains in custody. His next scheduled court appearance is February 3, 2026.

Local business owners say incidents like this highlight the challenges of maintaining safety in busy downtown areas and the importance of rapid police response.