Mounties in West Shore say a man has been arrested after setting fire to the mammoth statue at Royal Bay Beach.
Police say they responded to a call Monday at 7 a-m after a man who experienced a mental health crisis started a fire at the Esquimalt (Ess-KWY-malt) Lagoon.
Police say the 41-year-old suspect was reportedly carrying a hatchet at the time and officers were able to locate and arrest him near the fire scene.
The suspect was being held in custody to attend court yesterday afternoon, with police recommending charges of arson causing damage to property and mischief over five-thousand dollars.