Police are urging community members to be vigilant after two men fled with a valuable piece of jewellery that a campus resident was attempting to sell during a transaction arranged online.
Jona May Tolosa had posted a gold necklace for sale on Facebook Marketplace and was contacted by someone she believed was an interested buyer. The two arranged to meet in south Wesbrook Place during the evening on March 3.
In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Tolosa and her husband decided he would stay in their apartment with their two-year old son while she went downstairs to make the transaction.
She said that decision was also buoyed by a sense of safety since moving to Wesbrook Place in November after previously living in downtown Vancouver. She said she felt safe living on a university campus, and reassured knowing their building lobby has security cameras.
On the night of the incident, she went down to the lobby and was soon met by two individuals who had gained access to the building after someone had exited the main doors.
“I looked at them and I thought, ‘they’re so young, they’re probably minors, like probably in high school,” she told The Campus Resident.
One of the suspects, both described as male youths by police, asked to see the necklace. Once it was in his hands, both fled on foot with the necklace in hand.
“I think my body was in shock,” she said. “I was shaking … in disbelief.”
Tolosa said she instinctively made the decision to chase after the two suspects. At that point, one of them began spraying what police described as pepper spray towards her.
She said she screamed for help and was attended to by an individual as the suspects fled in a vehicle.
Tolosa then called police, who arrived on the scene in roughly five minutes, she said.
No injuries were reported.
A spokesperson from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said an investigation is ongoing as officers work to identify the suspects.
The suspects are described as male youths, approximately 5’1″ to 5’2″. One of the youths is described as having curly blonde hair and speaks with a British accent. The second suspect is described as having longer, straight brown hair. Both were wearing hoodies and running shoes.
“Police would like to remind the public to take precautions when selling high value items online,” the RCMP spokesperson told The Campus Resident in an email.
“Arrange meetings in well lit, public locations equipped with cameras, and be cautious of buyers or sellers who attempt to change meeting times or locations at the last minute.”
For Tolosa, she said a stronger police presence could help improve security in the university neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, she said the incident has affected her sense of safety.
“I’m fearful, I always look over my back now,” she said.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.