One suspect wanted after two women robbed in separate incidents

Police are hunting for a suspect after two purse snatchings about 30 minutes apart in Thornhill.

On March 17 at about 10:30 p.m., a woman walking on Thornway Ave. near New Westminster Dr. was grabbed from behind by a man, police say. He took her purse then fled, running toward New Westminster.

At about 11 p.m. the same night, another woman was robbed, police say. She was walking in the area of Joseph Aaron Blvd. near New Westminster when a man ran up and grabbed her purse. He wasn’t able to steal the purse but he did make off with the victim’s iPod, police say.

He was last seen running west on Joseph Aaron toward New Westminster.

Neither victim was hurt.

“It’s basically the same suspect that we’re looking for responsible for two,” Constable Gary Phillips said.

The suspect is described as a 30- to 35-year-old male, black, 5-foot-9 to 6-feet tall. He was wearing a dark jacket, a grey hooded sweatshirt and a dark-coloured balaclava over his face.

Investigators in the 4 District Criminal Investigation Bureau are asking anyone with information on these two robberies to call them at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7441.

Vaughan Today
In print: March 27, 2009, page 1
Online: March 26, 2009 [link]