NANAIMO — Local Mounties have arrested a man very well known to them, for an extensive list of thefts including a high profile incident over the summer.
Jason Joseph Diraddo, 48, was arrested in late August after allegedly shoplifting from a Nanaimo grocery store and brandishing a handgun, with investigators able to link him to a series of thefts and other incidents in the months previous.
The most notable of which was a July 4 theft at McDonald’s on Bowen Rd., where it’s alleged Diraddo exited the store, threw a cup of water at two youth sitting outside and stole one of their bicycles.
Police said at the time the two youth gave chase, but stopped when the suspect uttered “some very clear threats at them”.
Video of the incident was shared and police were able to recover and return the bike a few days later.
Officers from the Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement unit led the work into filing 13 Criminal Code charges against Diraddo.
He faces seven counts of theft under $5,000, two counts of uttering threats, two counts of obstruction and a single charge of assault.
Diraddo remains in police custody ahead of a court appearance on Oct. 7.
He has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2006, rotating in and out of jail primarily for crimes in Nanaimo and Victoria involving fraud, property crimes, violence and breaching conditions.
Jason Joseph Diraddo is in police custody, with officers believing he’s responsible for a number of thefts and other incidents around Nanaimo over recent months. (Nanaimo RCMP)Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
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