Armed robberies suspect seized at U.S. border
An American citizen who has been living in Squamish under an assumed name for several years has been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies in the Lower Mainland.
Thomas John Schwartz, also known as Tom Stone, 68, is charged with robbery, using a restricted or prohibited firearm in the commission of an offence and two counts of using an imitation firearm. Police say more charges are expected.
In mid-December, police in Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby and North Vancouver appealed to the public to help identify a suspect in eight armed robberies that targeted grocery stores and one toy store.
The robberies occurred between March 31 and Dec. 1, 2012.
Businesses targeted included Safeway (West Vancouver), SuperValu (North Vancouver), Choices Market (Vancouver and Burnaby), Queensdale Market (North Vancouver), Extra Foods (Vancouver), Marketplace IGA (Vancouver) and Toys ’R’ Us (North Vancouver).
Investigators received many tips from the public and identified Schwartz as a suspect.
U.S. authorities contacted police Dec. 21 to say that Schwartz had been arrested on Dec. 15 while trying to cross into the U.S.
He was wanted on an outstanding warrant from 1972 related to allegations of desertion from the U.S. air force.
Schwartz remains in custody in the U.S., pending an extradition hearing.