Suspects sought in recent swarmings
(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit is investigating two weekend swarmings in the same area and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects responsible.
On October 21, 2016, at approximately 9:00 pm, a lone male victim was walking through an alleyway that runs between Spadina Avenue and Bayswater Avenue when approached by three suspects. One male brandished a handgun which was pointed at the victim. The suspects took various items from the victim, including his wallet, phone, and some groceries which the victim had just purchased. The suspects then fled the scene.
The suspects were described as:
#1: black male, English speaking with a Jamaican accent, approximately 6’1″-6’2″ (185cm-188cm), approximately 20-25 years old, slender build, short black hair. The suspect was wearing a black bandana covering his nose, below his eyes and down the rest of his face. Subject was wearing a black or dark hooded jacket, black jeans or pants.
#2: black male, English speaking with a Jamaican Accent, approximately 5’10” (178cm), slender build, 20-25 years old, short black hair. The subject was wearing a dark hooded jacket and a bandana covering his nose, under his eyes and down the rest of his face.
#3: male approx. 5’10” (178cm), slender build, wearing a tight mask like neoprene covering his whole face. The mask may have had a white design on it. Ethnicity unknown.
On October 22, 2016, at approximately 11:00 pm, a lone female victim was walking in the area of Bayswater Avenue / Gladstone Avenue when she came upon 3-4 males. As the victim passed by, one of the males demanded whatever she had on her. They then surrounded her until she produced cash and her cellphone. One of the suspects was armed with a knife.
The suspects in this instance are described as:
#1: Caucasian male, approximately 5’8”-6’0” (174cm-183cm), slim build, wearing dark clothing. He had a balaclava concealing his face.
#2: Black male, approximately 5’6” (168cm), slim build, wearing a red hooded jacket and possibly red jogging pants. He was also wearing a balaclava.
#3 and #4 suspects have no description.
It is unclear at this time if the two investigations are definitively linked.
Extra vigilance is recommended as these investigations proceed, particularly for persons walking alone in this area during the evening hours. Attached are some safety tips related to swarmings and personal robberies:
Anyone with information regarding this robbery, or any robbery, is asked to call the Ottawa Police’s Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116.