Durham Police are looking for a suspect after two online sellers were robbed of their cellphone in Whitby on Sunday.
On February 20 at about 8:40 pm, members of Central West Division responded to a street-level robbery at the Whitby Civic Centre on Rossland Road East. The victim had attempted to sell his cellphone after posting it for sale online. The suspect met the victim and produced a knife before stealing the phone. The suspect fled on foot. Police searched the area with negative results, said a police media release.
The suspect was described as male Black, 6’3” tall, slim build and short black dreads. He was wearing a bandana, dark grey hoodie and sweatpants.
Investigators are also looking into another street-level robbery that occurred in the same area on February 14, 2022 at approximately 6:05 pm. The victim attended the Whitby Civic Centre to sell a cellphone and was robbed at knifepoint.
The suspect in this incident is described as male Black 6’1” tall, slim build and wore a blue jacket, grey jacket and grey pants.
Police are reminding residents to take precautions when selling items on any online platform. It’s best to meet during the day in a public place away from your residence, and bring along someone with you. Don’t accept partial payment or anything other than cash and don’t hand over the item until you have the cash from the buyer.
Anyone with new information about this incident is asked to call D/Cst. Bonner of Central West Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1854.