Post by Mickey Martini on Mar 31, 2005 11:54:42 GMT -5
www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=99811fa1-9712-4569-91fa-9fb28e14ada3
Armed robberies by pre-teens as young as 10 have brought new fear to Burnaby residents already concerned about a spate of crimes including muggings, purse snatchings and stabbings since January.
The latest incidents have left residents unsettled, police bewildered and city authorities shocked: The RCMP is investigating three attacks Tuesday night in which women were preyed upon by boys as young as 10.
The first happened shortly before 9:40 p.m. when a 32-year-old local woman jogging alone on 18th Avenue by a wooded area close to the Edmonds SkyTrain Station was accosted by eight boys. One of them, who appeared to be a 10-year-old, broke from the pack and asked her for the time.
"When she replied [that] she did not have a watch, the boy flipped open a six-inch knife, at which point the woman immediately fled in the opposite direction," Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Pierre Lemaitre said Wednesday.
He said the boys began to chase her and someone in the group tripped her, causing her to fall and scrape her knee and elbow.
"Fearing for her safety, she began to yell for help and told police no one came to her rescue. Nevertheless, her yelling caused the boys [to back off] and they ran away from her," he said.
Fifteen minutes later, a 28-year-old woman walking south on Royal Oak Avenue near Beresford Street was approached by two boys who appeared to be about 12 years old.
That woman, too, was asked for the time, but she did not reply. One of the boys demanded money and grabbed her backpack before the two young robbers ran south on Royal Oak.
The third incident took place just before midnight. A 25-year-old Surrey woman walking near Maywood Park saw two boys following her. One approached her and asked for the time, Lemaitre said. One of the boys kicked her, dropping her to the ground, when she refused to answer them. They fled when she began screaming for help.
Police believe the three attacks are related. "What is bewildering and shocking is the young age of the suspects," Lemaitre said.
Police are warning women to be more vigilant and to be prepared to run or defend themselves if approached by boys they do not know.
Burnaby residents spoke Wednesday of the terror in their neighbourhoods, saying they are afraid to venture out at night.
Since January, there have been more than 20 incidents in which residents have been attacked while walking their dogs, walking to their homes, sitting in their cars or jogging in Central Park, a popular area for picnics and other recreational activities. Some of the incidents took place near SkyTrain stations, where young people either hang out under the tracks or in nearby parks, often drinking beer.
Residents are calling for more police patrols, better street and park lighting, and for citizens to help come up with crime-fighting strategies
I hope I run into these punks. I really do. I'll put the fear of God into them.
Armed robberies by pre-teens as young as 10 have brought new fear to Burnaby residents already concerned about a spate of crimes including muggings, purse snatchings and stabbings since January.
The latest incidents have left residents unsettled, police bewildered and city authorities shocked: The RCMP is investigating three attacks Tuesday night in which women were preyed upon by boys as young as 10.
The first happened shortly before 9:40 p.m. when a 32-year-old local woman jogging alone on 18th Avenue by a wooded area close to the Edmonds SkyTrain Station was accosted by eight boys. One of them, who appeared to be a 10-year-old, broke from the pack and asked her for the time.
"When she replied [that] she did not have a watch, the boy flipped open a six-inch knife, at which point the woman immediately fled in the opposite direction," Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Pierre Lemaitre said Wednesday.
He said the boys began to chase her and someone in the group tripped her, causing her to fall and scrape her knee and elbow.
"Fearing for her safety, she began to yell for help and told police no one came to her rescue. Nevertheless, her yelling caused the boys [to back off] and they ran away from her," he said.
Fifteen minutes later, a 28-year-old woman walking south on Royal Oak Avenue near Beresford Street was approached by two boys who appeared to be about 12 years old.
That woman, too, was asked for the time, but she did not reply. One of the boys demanded money and grabbed her backpack before the two young robbers ran south on Royal Oak.
The third incident took place just before midnight. A 25-year-old Surrey woman walking near Maywood Park saw two boys following her. One approached her and asked for the time, Lemaitre said. One of the boys kicked her, dropping her to the ground, when she refused to answer them. They fled when she began screaming for help.
Police believe the three attacks are related. "What is bewildering and shocking is the young age of the suspects," Lemaitre said.
Police are warning women to be more vigilant and to be prepared to run or defend themselves if approached by boys they do not know.
Burnaby residents spoke Wednesday of the terror in their neighbourhoods, saying they are afraid to venture out at night.
Since January, there have been more than 20 incidents in which residents have been attacked while walking their dogs, walking to their homes, sitting in their cars or jogging in Central Park, a popular area for picnics and other recreational activities. Some of the incidents took place near SkyTrain stations, where young people either hang out under the tracks or in nearby parks, often drinking beer.
Residents are calling for more police patrols, better street and park lighting, and for citizens to help come up with crime-fighting strategies
I hope I run into these punks. I really do. I'll put the fear of God into them.
