Three young men aged between 16 and 17 have just been arrested by Montreal police in connection with a series of violent robberies, during which they sprayed their victims with irritant gas after making an appointment on a sales platform on line.
Posted at 2:11 p.m.
It was a little earlier last week, on July 21 and 25, that the three minors, who cannot be identified because of their age, were arrested by investigators from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM ). According to a press release, the trio first contacted their victims “through sites for the purchase and sale of goods online”, such as Amazon, Marketplace or Kijiji.
At each flight – these three young people are suspected of having carried out at least four in the areas of Saint-Léonard and Anjou, in the east of Montreal – the same modus operandi applied. First, they started a discussion on an online site to buy a property, then an appointment was given to the victim.
“Once there, they would have sprayed them with an irritant gas before fleeing, taking with them money or valuables,” noted the investigators.
During the investigation, several searches were carried out in the homes of the three suspects. “A sum of $1,455 in cash, a can of cayenne pepper and various electronic devices” were seized by the police during these operations.
Released under conditions
Each of the three suspects has been released under certain conditions, pending further legal proceedings, which will be held before the Youth Chamber, on rue de Bellechasse. Charges of robbery and assault with a weapon could well be filed against the young men.
Despite these arrests, the investigative work of the police continues, the SPVM saying it is to determine “if the young suspects could be involved in other thefts committed recently in similar circumstances”.
Thus, anyone who has relevant information in connection with this case is asked to contact 911, or their neighborhood station. Info-Crime Montreal’s confidential treatment center can also be reached at 514-393-1133. A reporting form can also be submitted anonymously via the organization’s website.
The authorities are also advising the population to “redouble our vigilance” on online sales platforms, which are very popular and therefore prime targets for fraudsters. It is suggested to remain skeptical if a buyer or seller has, for example, a limited or non-existent history, and to never pay before having seen the person. “If an offer seems too good to be true, it’s probably a fraud,” we conclude.
Four “secure exchange zones” are also made available to the Montreal population to exchange goods sold online.