The Vancouver Police Department is asking the public in the Sea to Sky corridor for help identifying a suspect in a string of brazen armed robberies.
Const. Brian Montague said multiple law enforcement agencies are working together to identify the man for public safety purposes as his behaviour is escalating.
"Efforts to identify this individual have been expanded to the Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton areas as well as other areas outside the Lower Mainland," Montague said.
The Vancouver Police are working with West Vancouver Police and Burnaby and North Vancouver RCMP to identify the suspect believed responsible for eight brazen robberies at gunpoint that targeted local, family-run grocery stores.
"The level of violence in these robberies appears to be escalating," said Detective Const. Joe Danieli of the Vancouver Police General Investigative Unit. "We are concerned for the safety of the public and want to see this man arrested before someone gets hurt."
Witnesses describe the man as being in 60 years old, Caucasian, 5'10" tall with a heavy build and short grey hair. During the armed robberies he was wearing a baseball cap and dark sunglasses and was seen driving a vehicle that looks like a black 2006 to 2010 Ford Explorer with black wheels.
Video footage of the suspect getting into an altercation during one of the robberies can also be viewed here: http://nvan.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=230&;languageId=1&contentId=27637
Anyone who sees this man or this vehicle, is asked not to approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Anyone with information about these robberies, and has not spoken to police, is asked to call the Vancouver Police General Investigative Unit at 604-717-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Robbery Locations
Saturday, March 31 at 7:33 p.m.
Safeway
1650 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Saturday, April 14 at 6:43 p.m.
Super Valu
3230 Connaught Crescent, North Vancouver
Sunday, May 6 at 6:55 p.m.
Queensdale Market
3030 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
Saturday, May 12 at 7:03 p.m.
Extra Foods
7190 Kerr Street, Vancouver
Thursday, October 11 at 6:38 p.m.
IGA Marketplace
3535 W.41st Avenue, Vancouver
Friday, October 26 at 5:55 p.m.
Choices Market
8683 10th Avenue, Burnaby
Saturday, November 17 at 6:01 p.m.
Choices Market
1880 W.57th Avenue, Vancouver
Saturday, December 1 at 5:40 p.m.
Toys-R-Us
333 Brooksbank, North Vancouver
