West Vancouver police are looking for a suspect in a bizarre and violent daytime robbery at a Horseshoe Bay convenience store.
Police say two men entered the store just before 9 a.m. Wednesday and jumped the 68-year-old owner, putting him in a chokehold. One of the suspects threw the man to the ground and punched him in the head repeatedly, knocking him temporarily unconscious.
The assailants then stole only razor blades and fled on foot. The owner came to a short while later and called 9-1-1, according to police. There were no other customers in the store at the time.
“It’s kind of a weird one,” said Const. Jeff Wood. “Definitely, we’d characterize this one as random. It wasn’t targeted.”
West Vancouver officers nabbed one of the suspects, a 17-year-old former North Vancouver resident, a short distance away. He was held in custody and scheduled to make his first appearance in court on robbery charges on Thursday morning. Police say he has not been co-operating with investigators and he is not known to police.
The victim was taken to Lions Gate Hospital to be treated for head injuries and has since been released.
Police are hoping a tip from the public can help lead them to the second suspect, who they describe as a white male in his 30s who was wearing a beige hat and beige jacket.
On Thursday, police were out canvassing the neighbourhood looking for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious.
“There are still other people down there that witnessed the event,” Wood said. “During the day, it’s busy.”
Anyone with information about the assault and robbery or the second suspect is asked to contact West Vancouver Police at 604-925-7315.
