William Thomas Holmes, 32, was arrested March 19 at approximately 5 p.m. while still inside a house that had been broken into.
Officers from the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment responded quickly to a B&E in progress report in the 3300 block of Cowichan Lake Road to find Holmes inside the residence.
The home is currently unoccupied and being renovated by the owner.
Holmes was taken into custody and has since stood before a provincial court judge.
He was released on numerous conditions and will be before the courts again in April.
Holmes is charged with break and enter with intent, failure to comply with recognizance and mischief under $5,000.
An alert citizen observed the crime and didn’t hesitate to call the police,
said RCMP Cpl. Krista Hobday.