FOLLOWING an investigation by the Metro Vancouver Transit Police Crime Suppression Team, with assistance from patrol constables, charges have been approved against a young offender in relation to four iPhone robberies that occurred along the transit system.

Over the span of one year, individuals who had advertised a newer model iPhone for sale were contacted by someone who claimed to be interested in purchasing it. At the prospective purchaser’s request, the parties would meet at a transit hub in Burnaby. Once the seller arrived at the location, a young person would quickly grab the phone out of their hands and flee.

Through investigation, Transit Police were able to link all robberies to one individual. Crown Counsel has approved four charges of robbery for the suspect, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The suspect has been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled for April 22.

“When conducting person to person exchanges in a public place, whether purchasing or selling items from online marketplaces, it is recommended to choose locations that are well-lit, commonly travelled and potentially monitored by surveillance cameras. If possible, bring a friend with you, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Also, check with your local municipal police department to see if there is a safe exchange space at their facility. Trust your instincts and cancel the meeting if you feel unsafe,” said Constable Travis Blair.