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Man charged in robbery at New West restaurant

A man is facing charges of robbery, forcible confinement, escaping lawful custody and assault with a weapon following an incident in New Westminster earlier this month.
nw cells
Joshua Mathias was transferred to New Westminster police custody after his arrest in Vancouver over an alleged robbery at a New West restaurant.

A man is facing charges of robbery, forcible confinement, escaping lawful custody and assault with a weapon following an incident in New Westminster earlier this month.

New West Police Department patrol officers were called to a restaurant in the 800-block of Carnarvon Street at around 6:40 a.m. on Sept. 1, police said in a news release.

According to police, a man allegedly entered into the restaurant and demanded money from staff before running away. After a short chase by witnesses, the man fled the area but was ultimately arrested in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Police Department then transferred 22-year-old Joshua Mathias of Vancouver to custody of the NWPD.

Mathias faces two counts of robbery, one of disguising face with intent to commit an offence, two counts of assault with a weapon, one of forcible confinement, one of theft of a motor vehicle and one of escaping lawful custody.

Police did not offer details on what led to the vehicle theft, forcible confinement or escaping lawful custody charges.

“Robberies have an element of violence and can be dangerous for the public, and in this case there were many different factors that investigators had to consider,” said Sgt. Jeff Scott in a statement. “The efforts of our investigators, in collaboration with the Vancouver police, led to the successful arrest of Mr. Mathias, who will be appearing before the courts for these offences.”

Mathias is up for a bail hearing on Sept. 23 in New West’s provincial court.