Two young men assaulted a group of students in broad daylight yesterday (June 2).
At about 2 p.m., Oak Bay Police responded to a report of an armed robbery on the 2400 block of Beach Drive. A group of Asian home-stay students had just left a B.C. Transit bus when they were approached by the two teens. One of the males grabbed a 20-year-old home-stay student and stole his wallet, say police.
When the victim and his friend fought back, the suspect produced a can of mace spray and a knife. He then sprayed the victim and his friend. During the struggle the second suspect produced a knife. The victim was able to recover his wallet during the struggle. Once the victims were maced, the suspects fled towards Willows Beach. No one was stabbed during the incident.
Two women that had witnessed the altercation remained at scene and were able to provide statements to police.
The witnesses helped locate the suspects on Willows Beach where the two young men were arrested for armed robbery. Police said at the time of arrest one of the accused was in possession of a large can of mace spray, and the other accused was in possession of a knife matching the description of the knife produced during the struggle.
A 15-year-old Victoria resident and a 15-year-old Saanich resident have been arrested and are currently in custody. Oak Bay Police will be recommending that they be charged with Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Weapon For a Dangerous Purpose. The teen that was in possession of the mace spray is known to local police.
The victim was treated by ambulance at the scene for decontamination from the mace spray. He did not sustain any other injuries.