One of the suspects sought a recent assault and armed robbery was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun when arrested by police.
On July 13, the New Westminster Police Department made a public appeal for CCTV footage following an assault and armed robbery near the corner of McKenzie and Clarkson streets. At that time, police reported that two people had approached a group of three people at the corner at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 11.
“One suspect pointed a firearm at one of the victims and struck him in the face before taking the victim’s bag,” said the July 13 press release. “As the suspects walked away from the group with the victim’s bag, they pointed their firearms at another person who was walking down the street and asked this person what valuables they had on them.”
Police later told the Record that the victim who had been assaulted was transported to a local hospital, treated and released. He sustained a large laceration to his face.
The NWPD now reports that its patrol officers soon identified two suspects, at which time the major crime unit assumed conduct of the investigation. With the assistance of the street crime unit, gang suppression unit and crime reduction unit, police say two suspects were located and safely arrested.
“A number of different specialty units worked together to identify and arrest these two suspects,” NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Justine Thom said in a news release. “We’d also like to extend our appreciation to the citizens of New Westminster who worked with us in this investigation. Working together is the most effective way to maintain community safety.”
According to the police department, at the time of the arrest, one of the suspects in the alleged assault and robbery was in possession of a loaded handgun.
Danielle Levesque, a 33-year-old New West resident has been charged with robbery with a firearm and a assault with a weapon. New West resident Eugene Cottrelle, 36, has been charged with robbery with a firearm, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and possession of a loaded firearm.
The New Westminster Police Department states that additional charges are anticipated in the future as a result of the ongoing investigation by the New Westminster Police Department’s major crime and street crime units.
