At about 2:00 p.m. on the afternoon of June 2, 2012, Oak Bay Police responded to a report of an armed robbery on the 2400 block of Beach Drive. A group of Asian home stay students had just exited a BC Transit bus when they were approached by two males. One of the males grabbed a twenty year old male home stay student and stole his wallet.  When the victim and a friend of his fought back the suspect produced a can of mace spray and a knife. He then pepper sprayed the victim and his friend.  During the struggle the second suspect produced a knife. The victim was able to recover his wallet during the struggle. No one was stabbed during the incident.  Once the victims were pepper sprayed the suspects fled towards Willows Beach. Two female witnesses that had been riding the transit bus with the suspects and victims remained at scene and were able to provide excellent witness statements to police. The witnesses assisted in locating the suspects on Willows Beach where they were arrested for armed robbery.  At the time of arrest one of the accused was found to be in possession of a large can of mace spray.  The other accused was in possession of a knife matching the description of the knife produced during the struggle. A 15 year old male resident of Victoria and a 15 year old resident of Saanich have been arrested and are currently in custody.  Oak Bay Police will be recommending that they be charged with Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Weapon For a Dangerous Purpose.  The 15 year old male that was in possession of the mace spray is known to local police.

The victim was treated by ambulance at the scene for decontamination from the mace spray.  He did not sustain any other injuries.

Mark Fisher
Chief Constable