A man accused of stealing an iPad from a woman in a wheelchair at a SkyTrain station last week has now been charged with robbery.
John Eugene Lagimodiere, 31, was arrested Wednesday after photos were released of two suspects in the theft at Metrotown station in Burnaby. He made a video appearance in Vancouver provincial court Thursday, and will be held in custody until a bail hearing on May 24.
Cassie Campbell, who is also deaf and uses a wheelchair, was robbed a week ago in front of several witnesses. A group of Good Samaritans gave chase, but the suspects managed to make off with Campbell's tablet, which she uses for communication, among other things.
Campbell says she tried to stop the thieves by blocking the SkyTrain door with her wheelchair, but they kicked and punched her on their way past.
The appalling story aired on media outlets throughout Metro Vancouver Tuesday, and within hours of the news breaking, a charitable individual had already met Campbell at an Apple Store and bought her a new iPad.
Police are still searching for a second suspect in the robbery. Transit Police Const. Doug Spencer told reporters he "won't sleep" until that man is behind bars.
A tip from the public led to the identification of a man with a similar appearance to the suspect, but Spencer says investigators have confirmed he was not involved.
As for Lagimodiere, he has a lengthy rap sheet, including dozens of theft charges over the past decade. Police say he has a serious drug problem.
"Not only is he a danger to the public, but to himself," Spencer said.
"I'm glad he's in custody at least. That's one less guy out there doing that stuff."
The second suspect is described as six feet tall, in his early-to-mid 20s, with black hair, brown eyes and goatee stubble. He was wearing a grey hoodie, black T-shirt, black track pants and white runners.
