Police release photo of suspect in Whitby knifepoint robbery during online sale

Durham Regional Police continue to investigate a robbery at knifepoint in Whitby from February, releasing a photo of an unidentified suspect to aid their search.

The robbery took place on February 14, at the Whitby Civic Centre on Rossland Road. The victim was meeting up with a buyer for to sell his cellphone in an sale organized online. The suspect produced a knife and robbed the victim of his cell phone.

Investigators describe the suspect as a Black man, around 6’1″ tall with a slime build. He was wearing a blue Hilfiger jacket, a grey jacket, and grey sweatpants.

A similar, but separate, incident occurred at the Civic Centre days later on February 20. Again a victim trying to sell his phone online was robbed at knifepoint when attempting a meet-up.

The suspect in the later robbery was described as a black man, 6’3” tall with a slim build and short black dreads. He was wearing a bandana, dark grey hoodie and sweatpants.

“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,” said DRPS in a February 21 release, “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 information pertinent to these investigations can call D/Cst. Bonner of Central West Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1854, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).