A man who allegedly pulled a knife on store security Monday (Oct. 28) in Abbotsford has been charged.
Sgt. Paul Walker, media officer with the Abbotsford Police Department, said the incident took place at about 8:15 p.m. in a store at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre.
He said security officers saw a man wearing a balaclava enter the store and begin stealing items. They recognized the culprit from previous shoplifting incidents, Walker said.
When the security officers tried to intervene, the man pulled out a knife and then ran away, Walker said.
Patrol officers flooded the area, and the suspect was arrested at 8:35 p.m. a short distance away.
Adam Bustin-Lewis, 23, has now been charged with robbery and breaching his probation.
According to the provincial court database, Bustin-Lewis has prior convictions for offences such as assault, assaulting a peace officer, assault with a weapon, assault by choking, break-and-enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and several counts of breaching his bail conditions.
Walker said front-line officers routinely respond to files involving repeat violent offenders.
"These incidents demonstrate the level of violence that offenders such as Mr. Bustin-Lewis are willing to take to commit crimes within our community," he said.
"These crimes have long-lasting emotional and sometimes physical impacts on the victims that are subjected to this level of violence."