A robber who pepper-sprayed two business owners was located by Abbotsford Police officers just five minutes after the incident was reported to 911.
The robbery took place at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday in the 32300 block of Peardonville Road.
Const. Ian MacDonald said a man entered the business and immediately pepper-sprayed the 70-year-old owner, pushed him to the ground and ordered the safe to be opened.
The owner’s wife then entered the store and was also confronted and sprayed by the suspect. She ran out of the business and flagged down a passing motorist for assistance.
MacDonald said the woman was able to provide police with a description of the suspect’s Chevy Cavalier, in which he had fled with cash and jewelry he had obtained from the safe.
However, the suspect did not get far. An Abbotsford Police emergency response team member heard the broadcast of the incident and a description of the suspect vehicle over the police radio system.
The officer located the car at the intersection of Clearbrook and Marshall roads, and the suspect was arrested with pepper spray and the stolen cash and jewelry located in the vehicle.
Police received the 911 call reporting the robbery at 4:04 p.m. and located the robber at 4:09 p.m.
The suspect is a 36-year-old man from Langley with previous convictions for robbery and aggravated assault. MacDonald said investigators will be recommending a charge of robbery with a weapon in relation to this incident.