A Whitby cinema robbery left a 15-year-old boy with an arm injury early Sunday, and Durham Regional Police say arrest warrants have been issued for two of the youths believed to be involved.
Police released details on October 26 about the incident at Landmark Cinemas, 75 Consumers Drive. Central West Division officers were called to the theatre for a report of an armed person at approximately 12:40 a.m. on October 25.
Officers found the teenager with a significant laceration. Police and paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to a local hospital. Although the police release describes his injuries as serious, investigators said they were not life-threatening.
Investigators describe demand for jacket
According to police, the boy went to the theatre to meet a girl he knew through social media. A group of youths approached him and demanded his jacket.
Police allege that, after he refused to hand over his belongings, one suspect struck his arm with a machete. The group then assaulted him and took his jacket and cash, investigators said.
The release identifies youths believed to be involved as a 15-year-old boy from Oshawa, a 17-year-old boy from Pickering and a 13-year-old girl from Oshawa. It also refers to an unidentified male suspect. Police said warrants had been issued for two of the four parties but did not identify which two in the release.
Police seek witnesses and footage
The Whitby cinema robbery is believed to be an isolated incident, police said, and the investigation remains open. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Anyone with information, cellphone recordings, dashcam video or surveillance footage is asked to contact Detective Constable Boodhoo of the Central West Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520, extension 1805.
Durham Radio News reported the hospital admission on October 25. The subsequent police release supplies the circumstances of the alleged robbery and the warrant information.
