Police made a quick arrest after a 13-year-old boy was robbed of his bike at knifepoint.
According to an RCMP press release, a man confronted the boy and the boy’s friend just after 4 p.m. on Sunday near Farquar and Nicol streets, brandished a knife and demanded the boy hand over his bicycle. The suspect then knocked the boy to the ground and rode off on the bike.
“The father told police his son and friend were not injured, but were obviously traumatized by the ordeal,” noted the press release.
The youths were able to provide an excellent description of the suspect, police say, and Nanaimo RCMP immediately began searching the area. Within minutes, the suspect was located four blocks away, in possession of the bike, and was arrested.
The 25-year-old was kept in custody overnight and released the next day on recognizance facing a charge of one count of robbery. His next court appearance is Aug. 22.
“The excellent description provided by the two youths and the rapid response from our officers led to the timely arrest … of the suspect, said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in the press release.