A local man is facing several charges following an incident at a store in the 700-block of Central Street West Monday.
At about 11:40 a.m. police received several calls that someone was attacking an employee at the store.
Thanks to detailed witness descriptions, police had the suspect in custody less than three minutes after receiving the initial calls. Employees of the store said they asked the suspect to leave as they suspected him of shoplifting. When staff approached the man, he became belligerent and struck one of the employees, according to witnesses on scene.
While searching the suspect’s bag and coat for stolen property belonging to the store in question, police began locating items which they recognized from recent break and enter reports, such as laptops, surveying equipment, iPads, bankcards, webcams and small tools among the suspect’s belongings. Many items had the names of local businesses on them.
Members transported the suspect to the Prince George RCMP Detachment, where they confirmed his identity as William McBride. Police are very familiar with McBride, who has an extensive history in this area. McBride stayed at the police detachment until court on March 16. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved 12 charges against Mr. McBride, including:
- Break and enter
- Assault
- Possession of stolen property over $5000
- Possession of stolen property under $5000 x4
- Mischief
- Fail to comply with release order x2
- Fail to comply with probation order x2
McBride will remain in custody until his next court appearance in April. Police continue to investigate these and other break and enters in the area where McBride is a suspect.
If you have any information about these criminal offences, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.