A knife-wielding man was arrested Tuesday in what police are calling a random home invasion.

Around 7:45 a.m., the victim called Saanich police after being confronted in his home, in the 800-block of McKenzie Ave., nearly an hour earlier. The victim had answered a knock at his suite door around 6:45 a.m., and the suspect held the knife to him.

After 10 minutes, the victim managed to leave his home, get to work and call police.

Officers arrived at the home shortly after 7:45, and spotted a man matching the suspect description leaving the residence in a cab. The vehicle was stopped nearby and the man was arrested.

"This isn't a dispute, it's not an argument, this is a random knock on the door," said Sgt. Dean Jantzen.

"The suspect was associated to somebody else in the home," Jantzen added, but couldn't provide further details.

Police believe the suspect may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Charges being considered against the 21-year-old Esquimalt man include assault with a weapon, theft, threats and possession of cocaine.

The victim was not physically injured.

kslavin@saanichnews.com