Vancouver Island man berating staff over COVID-safety protocols arrested, fined twice

LANGFORD (NEWS 1130) — A man who went to a pair of Vancouver Island businesses and berated staff over COVID-safety protocols on Monday ended up in handcuffs and with two fines.

West Shore RCMP say at around 3:30 p.m., officers dealt with a man refusing to wear a mask in a Langford gas station, who then became belligerent with staff.

The 40-year-old man was arrested, charged, and given a fine.

“[The] resident of West Shore, was arrested for causing a disturbance and was charged under the Covid-19 Related Measures Act for failing to wear a face covering, which carries a $230 fine. In addition to this, the male was released on an undertaking with conditions to not attend the gas station and is to appear in court for causing a disturbance,” a release reads.

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However, the next day, police were made aware of a video on Facebook showing the same man abusing a staff member at a Victoria Starbucks earlier in the day Monday.

Starbucks didn’t report that to police, but Mounties began an investigation after seeing the video.

The man was then located and then given another ticket.

Todd Preston with the RCMP adds the COVID-19 pandemic is a major health concern and no employee should have to endure verbal abuse or be put at-risk by people refusing to wear a mask.

“This type of belligerent and grossly ignorant behaviour is unacceptable,” he says.

“Businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone contravening their store policies and in this case the law. We take these reports seriously and encourage businesses to report these incidents right away so that we can take the appropriate police enforcement action.”