Teens charged in series of transit robberies and assault spanning Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Burnaby

Two teenage boys are facing multiple charges in connection with three robberies and an assault targeting other youth on the Metro Vancouver transit system earlier this year.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police say the incidents occurred over a six-week period, with detectives from the General Investigation Unit linking the crimes, which took place both on skytrains and skytrain stations in Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Burnaby.

“Young people often rely on the transit system to get them to where they need to go. They deserve to feel safe at all times,” said Const. Amanda Steed in a statement. “We encourage parents and teens to ensure that Transit Police contact numbers are saved in their phone and that they have reviewed our safety tips prior to heading out on the system.”

The first incident happened on March 29, just before 10 p.m., when two suspects approached an 18-year-old riding a train at Moody Centre Station in Port Moody was approached by two suspects. Police allege the pair threatened to kill him before assaulting him.

On April 6, around 4 p.m., two suspects confronted 15-year-old boys on a train at Burquitlam Station in Coquitlam, demanding their mobile phones. Shortly after, the same suspects allegedly targeted a 13-year-old boy at the station, demanding his wallet.

The following day, April 7, just after 3 p.m., two 15-year-old boys were approached by two suspects at Lougheed SkyTrain Station in Burnaby. Police allege the suspects demanded cash before grabbing one of the boys and reaching into his pocket to take his wallet.

Three counts of robbery, two counts of uttering threats, and one count of assault have been approved against each of the accused – a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy – who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The teens have been released from custody under strict court-ordered conditions, including a 24-hour house arrest, a ban on possessing weapons as defined in the Criminal Code, and a prohibition from entering SkyTrain property unless accompanied by a guardian.