Saanich poaching suspects caught with crossbows

Police in Saanich, B.C., have arrested two men carrying crossbows and dressed in hunting gear after the carcasses of several deer turned up on the city's streets in recent weeks.

Sgt. Dean Jantzen said the two suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday night but it's not yet clear if they are responsible for the recent deaths of at least five deer that appeared to have been killed with crossbows.

"The geographic locations where the deer were killed are in a different part of the community in Gordon Head, and where these two males were arrested yesterday is sort of in the opposite end of our community," said Jantzen.

The men have since been released, and will face charges of possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

Police believe the deer are being harvested for their antlers.