Friday, March 29, 2024

Police deem Oak Bay machete attack as “not targeted”

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A machete attack at an Oak Bay residence has been deemed “not targeted” by police.

On April 25, a 45-year-old woman was randomly attacked in her home in the 2500 block of Esplanade, near Willows Beach.

A male intruder entered her home around 7:00 am Tuesday morning. The woman heard noises and was assaulted when she went to investigate. She sustained serious upper body injuries. Police said in a statement that “there is nothing to suggest she was the target of this attack.”

Police didn’t confirm what kind of weapon was used, only saying that it “may have been a machete.”

The suspect is still at large.

At the time of the attack, police were looking for a heavy-set man in his mid-20s, wearing a brown jacket, dark pants, a baseball cap, and a blue and white handkerchief around his neck.

The ensuing search by Oak Bay Police, VicPD, and Saanich Police, during which both Willows Elementary and Glenlyon Norfolk School were locked down, was unsuccessful.

Oak Bay Police said in a June 27 statement that “a number of resources” are currently dedicated to solving the crime and that the investigation is “still very much active”.

“At this time Investigators are confident there are people in our community that have information about this horrific attack” said Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties.  “We’re asking for those people to come forward and talk with the Investigators.”

“We sincerely respect the public’s desire for information and are continually assessing as the investigation progresses to ensure we share as much as possible without adversely impacting our investigation,” Bernoties added.

If you have any information, please pass it on to the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 or to Crime Stoppers.

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Alistair Ogden
Former staff writer at Victoria Buzz.

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