The Globe and Mail, Saturday, August 12, 2006
By Sonya Fatah
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on three charges in connection with an armed robbery in Scarborough on Thursday afternoon.
The teenager, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, allegedly approached his victim with a knife and took his wallet at the intersection of Pharmacy Avenue and Finch Avenue East in midafternoon, police said. When the youth discovered the wallet was empty, he returned it to its owner, they said.
Officers in a cruiser around the corner heard the commotion and went to the scene, where they found a boy brandishing a knife.
The teen was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon dangerous to the peace and failure to comply with recognizance.
He was denied bail yesterday morning and is being held at a youth detention centre.
A bail review is expected next week.
Police said the boy had been arrested a week ago, along with three other young men, after a bicycle was stolen and the victim was assaulted at the same intersection.
All were released on bail. No weapons were involved in that incident.
The boy had no arrest record prior to the bicycle incident, said Detective Constable Michael Williams of 42 Division said yesterday.
“He kind of came out of the blue for us. Yesterday, he escalated things and used a knife. That’s why we’re concerned. . . . We don’t want him to keep doing these things and get more and more bold.”
Police are investigating several other recent robberies to see whether there are any patterns or connections.
“There has been a rash of robberies in the north end of Scarborough and we’ve been paying special attention to that area,” Det. Constable Williams said. “That’s why there have been several recent arrests.”
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