Victoria Save-On-Foods manager seriously assaulted during workplace theft

A manager at a Victoria Save-On-Foods was seriously assaulted during a theft at the store on September 19. The victim sustained a concussion and significant injuries that may require surgery, according to Pattison Food Group president Jamie Nelson. The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) confirmed the incident occurred in the 1000-block of Pandora Avenue and noted that a suspect was arrested nearby but later released with conditions.

In an open letter, Nelson highlighted the assault as part of a growing trend of violence against retail workers across Canada. He cited other incidents, such as a deliberate fire at a Vancouver Nesters Market that caused over $500,000 in damage, as warning signs of increasing danger. Nelson reported that employees have faced threats, bear spray attacks, and confrontations involving knives and other weapons.