A man has been arrested and charged with carrying out two violent robberies in Richmond that involved tasering and pepper spray.
The first took place at around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, July 6 when police were called to a business in the 6000 block of Blundell Road, after a woman was discovered lying on the ground.
She told Mounties that she had been robbed and alleged that during the course of the robbery, the male suspect had tasered her multiple times.
The victim also stated she believed a female suspect was involved, as the victim heard her talking to the man who attacked her.
During the robbery, the victim sustained significant injuries requiring hospitalization.
Police called in a dog team to search the area, but the suspects had already fled.
The next day, just after midnight, police were called to a second robbery, this time in the 7700 block of Firbridge Way.
The victim alleged she was pepper-sprayed by a male who then forcefully took her purse while in the parkade of her residence.
As with the first robbery, the victim stated there were two suspects involved, a male and female.
She said while she struggled with the male, a blue BMW pulled up and a female got out. This female then allegedly grabbed the victim and pulled off her sweater.
The victim, however, managed to escape and run off, at which point the two suspects departed in the vehicle.
The victim sustained minor injuries.
After an investigation, officers from Richmond RCMP’s Property Crime Unit traced and arrested a male suspect this week.
Karim Vellani has now been charged with a string of offences, including robbery, assault, possession of a non-firearm, theft, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.
Vellani, who is known to police, was remanded in custody.
“These were brazen attacks that neither victim could foresee. Both of them were simply doing things they had done countless times before and never expected they would be violently accosted,” said Insp. Michael Cohee, Officer-In-Charge of Investigative Support Services.
“I know if this was my mother I would want her to be able to walk freely in her neighbourhood without fear. The public in Richmond deserve to feel safe and our officers have worked diligently to identify and secure criminal charges against the suspect.”
