A brazen early morning theft saw a massive Caterpillar 966 wheel loader stolen from a business on Gorge Road East in Victoria and driven up Highway 17 on Tuesday (May 27).
VicPD received a report just after 5:30 a.m. about a break and enter at a business in the 500-block of Gorge Road East.
The thief reportedly drove the bright yellow, four-and-a-half-metre tall machine, equipped with a large front scoop, through the business's perimeter fence.
An hour later, the stolen loader was spotted heading northbound on Patricia Bay Highway near McTavish Road.
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP joined the search and officers located the vehicle, parked and occupied by a man, at Swiftsure Place and James White Boulevard in Sidney around 7:30 a.m.
A suspect was apprehended by RCMP, handed over to Victoria police and taken into custody.
An investigation is underway.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
