The New Westminster Police Service is investigating a robbery that occurred on September 15th at 1930 hours. Background information; it is alleged that in early August the victim sold tickets to an upcoming 'Lil Wayne' music concert to a female ( accused #2) via the website 'Craigs List' valued at three hundred and fifty dollars. The accused agreed on the price and paid for the tickets. At a later date, the concert was canceled. The accused efforts to contact the victim for a refund went unanswered. The accused and her male friend ( accused #1) then reportedly made contact with the victim under an assumed name under the pretenses of ordering tickets for another upcoming music concert.

The victim agreed to meet with the accused at a residence located in the 1200 Block of Cameron Street in New Westminster to complete the transaction on the ticket sale. Upon arrival, the victim was greeted by both accused with the male suspect producing what appeared to be a handgun. The accused demanded reimbursement of the three hundred and fifty dollars for the canceled 'Lil Wayne' concert tickets. The victim did not have the cash and it was agreed upon that the victim and both accused would attend the victim’s bank to make the cash withdraw.

The victim and both accused attended a bank located in the 500 block of Sixth Street in New Westminster. The victim withdrew the cash from a teller wicket and handed it over to the male accused. The accused immediately fled the bank. The victim directed the bank employees to phone
9-1-1, reporting that he was the victim of a robbery.

Within minutes the New Westminster Police patrol officers attended the scene and spoke with the victim and witnesses. The attending police officers broadcast the suspect's description to the patrol officers searching the nearby streets. Patrol officers located both accused several minutes later. Both were taken into custody without incident.

The accused, both New Westminster residents twenty three and twenty two years of age respectively, were held in custody for a court appearance with police investigators recommending charges of Robbery, Uttering Threats, Using Firearm in Commission of Offence and, Unlawful Confinement.

The investigation continues.

The New Westminster Police Major Crime Unit has concluded a seven month Internet Child Luring Investigation with an arrest in Australia.

Currently the NWPS has a full-time investigator who specializes in offences against children. As part of his role this investigator conducts local Internet Child Luring and Child Pornography investigations. This particular investigation began in February 2009 after this member, acting in a covert capacity as a 14 year old female was contacted on an internet chat site by an adult male believed to be residing in Australia.

It is alleged that over the course of the next seven months this male, believing the officer was a 14 year old female, exposed his genitals to the officer on multiple occasions and attempted to make arrangements to have the “14 year old female” come to Australia.

The New Westminster Police contacted the Australian Federal Police who were able to locate and arrest this individual. The 44 year old male is now charged under Australian law with:

1. One count of using a carriage service to groom a person under 16 years of age.
2. One count of using the internet to expose indecent matter to a child under the age of 16 years.

On August 26th, 2009 at 1020 hours a house painter was at a location in the 200 block of 3rd avenue when he observed a male crawl into an open window at a residence located in the 200 block of 9th street. The witness immediately contacted police with the details.

Within minutes patrol members attended the area. Patrol officer, Cst. Charpentier, was the first member at the scene. As Cst. Charpentier approached on foot the suspect fled, immediately dashing between houses and over fences. Cst. Charpentier, a fit veteran police officer, pursued the suspect matching him fence for fence as they ran through the residential neighborhood.

Assisting patrol officers contained the area and within minutes the exhausted suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Officers returned to the victim residence and discovered that the home was being renovated and the area that the suspect was first observed had a pile of tools and equipment ready to be packed off by the accused.

Arrested for Break and Enter, Criminal Code of Canada, is a forty five year old New Westminster resident that is well known to police.

On August 26th 2009, the New Westminster Police Service arrested an adult male for his attempt to lure a fourteen year old female into meeting with him for a sexual encounter. The accused made contact with the ‘girl’ over an internet social networking website. The ‘girl’ was in fact a male police detective posing as a young female as part of a police initiative to combat sexual exploitation of young persons.

The accused stated that he wanted to meet with the ‘girl’ at a public location in New Westminster before they find a private area for sexual purposes. Through investigative means, the police were able to identify the accused by name and address before the rendezvous was to take place. The New Westminster Police surveillance team followed the accused as he travelled to the meeting location.

A very youthful appearing female police detective was awaiting the accused. The detective officer introduced herself with a pair of handcuffs as the police support team moved in.

Arrested for the Criminal Code offence of Luring is a 33 year old New Westminster resident. Charges are pending.

The New Westminster Police encourage parents to be active participants in supervising their children’s internet activities. Social networking sites can be safe and entertaining for young people however, it can also be an area where predators are cloaked in anonymity.

www.safecanada.ca offers some very helpful tips for parents and young people alike.