A New West teen was robbed at knifepoint by two youths when he was on his way home from school.
The New Westminster Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in the search for two suspects who robbed a teenager at knifepoint on Friday, March 4 around 3:30 p.m. Police say the victim was walking home from school when he was approached by two youth in the area of Sixth Street and Third Avenue.
“One of the youth pointed a knife at the victim and demanded he hand over his jacket and backpack,” said a NWPD press release. “The victim complied, and the suspects fled the scene.”
One of the suspects is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 16 to 18 years of age, with a slim build, freckles, brown hair and wearing a grey sweater. The second suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 16 to 18 years of age, having a heavy build and wearing a red and grey sweater.
The police department has offered the services of its victim assistance unit to the victim.
“The victim is 15 years old, and they feared for their safety when the robbery occurred, which is understandable considering the people who robbed them did so in broad daylight with a weapon,” said Det. Justine Thom in a statement to the Record.
Sgt. Sanjay Kumar said the incident happened when the youth was walking home from high school. He later told his mother what had happened, and she called the police to report the incident.
“He did not know them,” he told the Record. “The belief is that the individuals might also go to the school.”
New Westminster police are asking anyone who has CCTV or dash cam footage and has not yet spoken to investigators to call 604-525-5411.
“Our officers are speaking with businesses in the area and looking to collect CCTV footage,” Kumar said. “This victim did the right thing and told someone he trusted about what had happened.”
If a parent or guardian finds an Air Jordan brand jacket or a Super Dry brand backpack in their home, and it does not belong to anyone in the home, they’re also asked to call police.
