Sketch of robbery suspect released
Oak Bay police have released a composite sketch of a suspect in the Dec. 17 robbery of the Oak Bay Gold, Silver and Coin Shop, along with video stills from the Casey’s Market robbery on Dec. 20 by what may be the same man.
It’s hoped the images will bring in tips from the public, said Const. Rick Anthony.
There’s a “good chance” the same man may also have tried to rob Tomley’s Market on Foul Bay Road on Dec. 12, police said. As with Casey’s on St. Patrick Street, the suspect used pepper spray, wore a black balaclava and indicated that he had a weapon.
In the gold-shop robbery, the suspect entered 2029 Oak Bay Ave. at 4:48 p.m. and escaped with cash after showing the owner a gun. The owner worked with a sketch artist to create the likeness.
The suspect is described as white, 35 to 40 years old, five-foot-eight or five-foot-nine and 175 to 180 pounds. He was clean-shaven with a round face and wearing a green utility-style jacket with a white and blue scarf. He also walked with a slight limp, but Anthony said “you can fudge a limp.”
Saanich detectives processed store video retrieved from Casey’s. It’s hoped details of the suspect’s shoes and gloved hands will generate tips.
The Casey’s robber made off with cash after showing up just after 5 p.m.; the man who tried to rob Tomley’s escaped empty-handed after the employee he accosted called a co-worker to join her at the checkout.
It’s not known if the gun used in the robberies is real. “We assume all guns are real,” Anthony said.
Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Oak Bay police at 250592-2424. Anonymous reports can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at victoriacrimestoppers.com.