Investigators have identified a suspect less than 24 hours after the New Westminster Police Department released surveillance photos of the suspect – a woman who allegedly robbed several people recently in the uptown area.
According to a May 21 press release from the department, the first incident took place on April 18 at 2:33 p.m. in the 500 block of Seventh Street. The suspect approached a man and attempted to sell him “some small items.”
When the man refused, the suspect reached into his pocket and stole $60 from him before taking off, the release explained.
Less than a month later, on May 12 at 2:39 p.m. the suspect robbed another victim, this time at Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue. According to police, the suspect asked a woman on the street to break a $50 bill. When the woman took out the money, the suspect grabbed it, fleeing south on Sixth Street.
Investigators released photos of the suspect, captured on surveillance camera at a local beer and wine store in uptown from April 18 in hopes someone in the community could identify her – and someone did.
“They were very good photos,” said Sgt. Diana McDaniel, spokesperson for the department. “They’re not your usual grainy kind of photos.”
According to McDaniel, the suspect hasn’t been apprehended yet as the investigator in charge of the file is still working on the report to Crown counsel.
“She has been identified, and so I think they’re still just working on the charges and charge approval at this stage,” McDaniel told The Record on Thursday morning.
Once the investigator has completed the report, Crown counsel will review it and determine whether or not charges will be laid against the suspect, McDaniel added.
“If she is formally charged, then it becomes public information and I can release it then,” she said.
At this time, there is no timeline as to when or if charges will be laid.
