A Walnut Grove resident who used a cellphone to photograph a man who mugged a teenager may help Langley RCMP to solve the crime.
The accompanying photo depicts the retreating figure of a man, said to be about 17 or 18 years old, after he assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Walnut Grove last week.
Cpl. Holly Marks, who speaks for Langley RCMP, said that the girl was walking in the 21100 block of 85 Avenue at about 7:20 p.m. on Aug. 26 when she noticed a man walking towards her.
When she crossed the street to avoid him, she noticed that he too, crossed the street.
“He confronted her and demanded she turn over her money,” Marks said.
“When she told him she had none, he grabbed her purse and knocked her to the ground.”
The man rifled through her purse and when he found nothing, returned it to the girl and walked away.
Fortunately, a local resident saw the exchange and followed the suspect for a short time, taking his picture with a cell phone.
The suspect is a white man with brown hair, stubble facial hair, standing 5-9 tall, and wearing a brown hoody, jeans and green running shoes.
Police are asking anyone with information on the mugging to call them at 604-532-3200.
If you wish to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).