A man has been arrested after a standoff in Fernwood that lasted several hours.
Victoria Police responded to the corner of Begbie and Shelbourne streets just before 6:15 Wednesday morning, where an intoxicated man was blocking traffic and causing a disturbance.
Constable Matt Rutherford says when officers arrived on the scene, the man attempted to flee in a vehicle.
"In the process of trying to leave he rammed multiple parked cars, including one of the first attending police vehicles. Thankfully no officers were hurt, and none of the public was injured,"
The man drove a short distance in the vehicle, which officers determined was stolen, before getting out and fleeing on foot. He ran into a residence on the 1600-block of Begbie street, and barricaded himself inside.
The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, along with negotiators and a K-9 unit, were called to the scene. After several hours of negotiations, the GVRT attained a warrant, and used gas when entering the residence. The man was arrested without further incident at around 2:30 pm.
During the course of the incident, Begbie and Shelbourne streets were closed to traffic for a majority of the day, and Rutherford wants to thank the public for avoiding the area.
"We understand what an inconvenience it was for Shelbourne street, a main thoroughfare throughout the city, being closed for the majority of the day. Especially through the rush hour this morning. We would like to thank the public, and we're alive to the fact that it was an inconvenience, but in situations like this safety is paramount. Safety to all the residents, our officers, and the suspects involved. We don't close a main thoroughfare, we don't take that lightly, but unfortunately in some circumstances it just has to happen."
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and charges have yet to be determined or laid against the man.