Four people have been arrested for break and enter after the front door of Spinnakers Spirit Merchants in James Bay was smashed and bottles of alcohol were taken Tuesday, just after midnight.

Witnesses heard the sound of breaking glass and spotted the suspects taking off from the premises at 425 Simcoe St., police say.

Victoria police dogs tracked the suspects and collected evidence, "as an assortment of hard liquor bottles were scattered in the neighbourhood," Const. Mike Russell said in a statement.

One suspect was traced to a wood pile behind a house in the 400-block of Luxton St., and suffered a "small dog bite to the calf" after he refused to come out, Russell said.

A 30-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman were taken into police custody and were expected to appear in provincial court today (Tuesday). A 24-year-old woman and a 16-year-old male were released on promises to appear in court on June 25.

emccracken@vicnews.com