Teen charged with 4 counts of robbery after allegedly snatching iPhones at SkyTrain station
Metro Vancouver Transit Police say a young offender has been charged with four counts of robbery in relation to incidents that occurred at a Burnaby transit hub over the course of a year.
In a statement Thursday, police said the youth – who cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act – has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.
MVTP did not specify when the robberies occurred, saying only that they happened over a one-year span.
Each time, the victim had advertised a "newer model iPhone" for sale and been contacted by a prospective buyer. At the supposed buyer's request, the victims agreed to meet at "a transit hub" in Burnaby, police said.
Asked by CTV News, MVTP confirmed the transit hub in question was Edmonds SkyTrain Station.
"Once the seller arrived at the location, a young person would quickly grab the phone out of their hands and flee," the MVTP statement reads.
Investigators linked all of the robberies to the same individual, police said.
"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," said Const. Travis Blair in the statement.
"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."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in
A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases
Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86
Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.