Richmond RCMP isn’t saying much about an attempted robbery by knifepoint at the Steveston Pharmasave, but it maintains there is no threat to public safety.
Spokesperson Cpl. Dennis Hwang said police are investigating the Thursday evening incident but could not reveal any other details, noting officers are working on several leads.
Pharmasave owner Peter Tong said a man attempted to rob a store manager with a pocketknife in broad daylight, at approximately 4 p.m.
Tong said the suspect demanded cash from the register and lunged at the manager with the knife, only to miss.
The manager verbally resisted the suspect and threw a bag of chips at him, Tong said.
“I wouldn’t recommend that but thankfully everyone’s okay,” said Tong.
The suspect then said he had a gun, but did not ultimately produce one from his jacket.
After causing the commotion the suspect fled the scene without any money.
Tong said it was important for him to inform the public about the incident so everyone is informed.
He said he knows of no other recent attempted robberies in the Steveston area.
Tong gave the Richmond News a description of the suspect but Hwang said he wanted to keep the description from the public for the time being.
“We’re looking into a number of aspects. Public safety doesn’t appear at risk,” said Hwang.
He added that the suspect is not the high-profile serial robber that has garnered recent provincial and national media attention.
“We’re looking into a number of aspects. Public safety doesn’t appear at risk,” said Hwang.
He added that the suspect is not the high-profile serial robber that has garnered recent provincial and national media attention.
