SAANICH — A Saanich Police drone helped officers locate and arrest a man who allegedly discharged bear spray at a loss-prevention officer outside a business near the Royal Oak Shopping Centre on Sept. 19.
Rapid aerial search locates suspect
Police were called to a business in the 4400-block of West Saanich Road just after 1:30 p.m. for an incident involving a suspected shoplifter. According to the service, the individual discharged bear spray while attempting to flee, affecting multiple customers inside the store.
By the time officers arrived the suspect had already left the immediate area. A Saanich Police officer certified to operate the service’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) deployed an aircraft to conduct a rapid search of the surrounding neighbourhood. The operator located the suspect a short distance from the business and directed officers on the ground to that location, where the man was taken into custody.
“When a suspect leaves an area before officers arrive, time is critical,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Thompson. “This incident demonstrates how our RPAS program can quickly search a large area and provide officers on the ground with real-time information to help locate a fleeing suspect.”
Charge and immediate status
The accused has been identified by police as Michael Nasby. He has been charged with one count of robbery and remains in custody pending a future court appearance.
- Date and time of call: Sept. 19, just after 1:30 p.m.
- Location: 4400-block of West Saanich Road, near Royal Oak Shopping Centre
- Police tool used: Saanich Police Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
Local implications and oversight
The incident highlights two intersecting issues for Saanich residents: public safety in and around retail centres, and the expanding operational use of police drones. The Saanich Police framed the RPAS deployment as a time-sensitive investigative tool that supplied real-time location information to ground units. As with any aerial surveillance technology, its use can raise questions about privacy, data retention and oversight; the news release did not detail who reviews RPAS records or how long imagery is retained.
| Aspect | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Alleged offence | Robbery; bear spray discharged at loss-prevention officer |
| Suspect | Michael Nasby — charged, in custody |
| Police tactic | RPAS (drone) deployed by a certified operator |
Further details about the condition of the affected customers, the store involved, or planned court dates for the accused were not provided in the police release. Residents seeking additional information on RPAS policies or local policing practices can request records or policy documents from Saanich Police or raise questions with municipal councillors responsible for public safety oversight.
