RCMP: Fast food = long sentence for robbers?
By Contributor
Robberies of Subway restaurants have taken place in multiple jurisdictions in the Lower Mainland and Langley is no exception.
From Feb. 2 – 8, nine robberies took place at Edible Arrangements and various Subways and pizza establishments. Police determined the occurrences were linked by a variety of similarities, including – the robber wore a bandana, a baseball cap and a hoody and used bear spray as his weapon.
In one of the robberies only $15 was taken, however the suspect made off with as much as $400 in one instance. On four occasions the pepper spray was deployed as the suspect exited and several individuals required decontamination.
Langley Detachment’s Street Enforcement Unit was tasked with developing a strategy to address these robberies. In anticipation of another offence on Feb. 8, a number of covert surveillance units were deployed consistent with the intelligence provided by the detachment’s crime analyst.
At approximately 8 p.m., a robbery was reported at Fresh Slice Pizza in North Langley and police were given a description of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located and followed to the Esso gas station at 72 Avenue and 200 Street, where it stopped. Police approached the vehicle and arrested the two occupants (a male and a female) without incident.
The vehicle was searched incidental to the arrest and several items were recovered linking these individuals to the Langley robberies.
Over the week, police employed a variety of resources to bring an end to this robbery spree. Lower Mainland Forensic Identification Service attended every robbery; Police Dog Services were dispatched to assist with tracking as well as the Air One helicopter.
The determined individuals in Langley’s Street Enforcement Unit were able to make the arrest and now the Serious Crime Unit will see the charges through to Provincial Court.
Edward Joseph Biwer, age 22 from Surrey, has been charged with nine counts each of Robbery, assault with a weapon and Disguise with Intent. He has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court on Feb. 22. The female, age 31 and also from Surrey has been released from custody to appear in court on Feb. 26. Police have recommended nine counts of Robbery to Crown Counsel.
