Saanich police believe a woman who drove her Volkswagen Cabriolet through the front doors of a veterinary clinic did so with the intent to steal drugs.

Police were called to the 5400-block of Hamsterly Rd. around 1 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 19) after a witness reported seeing the car drive through the Capital Cat Clinic near Elk Lake.

"It would appear at this time to investigators that it was an attempt to enter the cat clinic to get drugs that would've been held on scene," said Sgt. Steve Eassie, citing such drugs as ketamine and horse tranquilizers, which "can be altered in some way to enable people that utilize elicit drugs to be able to get a high."

The Volkswagen drove off before police arrived. The witness provided the vehicle's licence plate to police officers, who were able to track the vehicle to a Saanich residence.

The 39-year-old Saanich woman was found in the vehicle.

Charges of mischief and break and enter are being considered.

Eassie says it doesn't appear as if anything was taken from the clinic, but damage to the business is estimated at more $1,000.

kslavin@saanichnews.com