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.