A seller was pepper sprayed and assaulted during a Whitby Marketplace robbery after arranging to meet a prospective buyer for a watch, Durham police say.
Officers were called to the area of Taunton Road East and Baldwin Street South at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. Durham Regional Police Service said the victim had advertised the watch through Facebook Marketplace and agreed to meet a person who appeared interested in buying it.
Three suspects fled in a black SUV
Police said at least three suspects attended the meeting. The victim was pepper sprayed and physically assaulted before the group left in a black sport utility vehicle.
The victim was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Police have not released the victim’s name or said whether the watch or any other property was taken.
Investigators released an image of the vehicle. CP24 reported that the image showed a black Honda CR-V.
Police release descriptions of two suspects
The first suspect was described by police as a Black man between 18 and 20 years old, about six feet tall, with long braided hair. He was reportedly wearing a black toque, blue medical mask, black tracksuit, yellow work gloves and grey running shoes.
The second suspect was described as about five-foot-five to five-foot-seven. Police said he wore a black medical mask, beige sweatshirt, dark grey track pants, black shoes and black nitrile gloves.
No description was released for the third suspect. Police had not announced any arrests when the appeal was issued.
Investigators seek video and witnesses
Durham police are asking anyone with information, cell phone footage, dash-camera video or surveillance recordings connected with the incident to contact the Central West Criminal Investigations Branch.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers. The police descriptions are allegations connected with an active investigation, and no charges have been announced.
