Nanaimo RCMP arrest man following break‑in on waterfront vessel

Nanaimo RCMP have arrested an adult man after a series of incidents that began with an attempted theft at a Port Place Mall grocery store and ended with an alleged break‑and‑enter on a privately owned vessel along the city’s waterfront.

Police say the situation began around 2:45 PM at Thrifty Foods, where staff reported a man tried to leave the store with unpaid items. When confronted by store security, the suspect allegedly threatened a Loss Prevention Officer.

Shortly afterward, the same individual was observed boarding a tugboat moored nearby. Officers who responded reported that he barricaded himself inside the vessel, refused to leave, and made threats toward law enforcement.

RCMP frontline officers secured the area while specialized units, including the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, negotiators, and West Coast RCMP Marine Services, were deployed to manage the situation. The suspect was taken into custody at approximately 5:30 PM.

Inspector Donovan Tait, Operations Officer with Nanaimo RCMP, said the coordinated response between frontline members, specialized units, and local partners ensured a safe resolution. “The integration of RCMP Marine Services with the Nanaimo Port Authority, Nanaimo Fire Rescue, and BC Ambulance Service allowed for a swift, controlled, and effective response,” he said.

The man faces charges of break‑and‑enter and two counts of mischief and remains in police custody.