Prolific offender arrested following assault at a local PG business…

PRINCE GEORGE, BC: A prolific offender will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in April following an assault at a local business on Monday…

Police say on March 15, 2021 at 11:40 AM, the Prince George RCMP received multiple reports that a man was attacking an employee at a retail location on the 700 block of Central Street West.

Frontline members immediately responded to the location and, thanks to detailed witness descriptions, had the suspect in custody less than three minutes after receiving the initial calls. Police obtained multiple statements from the victim and witnesses on scene. Employees of the retail location advised they asked the suspect to leave as they suspected him of shoplifting. When retail staff approached the male, he became belligerent and struck one of the employees, advised witnesses on scene.

While searching the suspect’s bag and coat for stolen property belonging to the retail establishment in question, police began locating items which they recognized from recent break and enter reports. They found items 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. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved twelve charges against 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.