Public warned about 'troubling' rise in purse-snatching robberies in Richmond
There has been a "troubling" increase in reported purse-snatching robberies in Richmond, B.C., over recent weeks, according to the RCMP.
Authorities said six such robberies were reported between Feb. 22 and March 23 – four in central Richmond and two in the Steveston area.
"We want to alert the public to the increase in these reported crimes and urge other victims to come forward," said Insp. Michael Cohee, with the Richmond RCMP, in a statement.
"Awareness and prompt reporting are crucial in helping us address the issue effectively."
All of the victims were women, and none were physically hurt.
Investigators are still working to determine whether the crimes were committed by the same person, but said the suspect in five of the robberies had a similar description – as a man, 5'3" to 5'6" tall, who was dressed in dark clothing and wearing a mask.
As the investigation continues, Richmond RCMP offered tips to avoid being targeted by a purse-snatcher, including to "keep your head up, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings."
If a robber is after your purse, authorities recommend throwing the item in one direction and running in the other. Victims are also urged to take note of the suspect's appearance and which direction they're heading as they leave, then call 911 as soon as it's safe to do so.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire smoke forecast: Poor air quality in Western Canada, haze in Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires continue to impact air quality across Western Canada, with conditions expected to worsen on Wednesday before improving.
'Not a scarient': New COVID-19 subvariant dominant in Canada
A new COVID-19 subvariant is dominant in Canada, representing just over 30 per cent of cases in the country, but infectious disease experts say there’s no sign it’ll evolve into a summer 'scarient.'
DEVELOPING Massive manhunt in France for prison-break gang that gunned down officers
A massive manhunt was underway in France on Wednesday for an armed gang that killed two prison officers and seriously injured three others to spring an inmate they were escorting.
Growing wildfires across Western Canada are forcing thousands from their homes
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
Sun shoots out biggest solar flare in almost 2 decades, but Earth should be out of the way this time
The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, just days after severe solar storms pummelled Earth and created dazzling northern lights in unaccustomed places.
Victim loses $2M in online romance scam
A Malahide Township resident is out more than $2 million following a romance scam.
Stormy Daniels' husband says they'll likely leave country if Trump is acquitted
The husband of adult film actress Stormy Daniels said on Tuesday that there’s a 'good chance' the couple will leave the country if former U.S. president Donald Trump is acquitted in his Manhattan criminal trial.
An imbalance of two healthy fats affects your early death risk, study finds
Eating enough healthy fats is great for brain and heart health, but new research has possibly provided even more evidence for adding them, particularly omega-3s, to your diet.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.