The photo of a longboard that was stolen during the playground robbery on May 1. (VicPD).
Victoria police have released a photo of the second longboard that was stolen during a playground robbery and assault that left a young man in hospital and requiring reconstructive surgery.
Police said the two longboards were stolen just before 9 p.m. on May 1 at the Quadra Heights playground on Alder Street. The 17-year-old male victim told police that he and a friend were in the playground when two young men who they did not know approached and took their longboards. When the victim approached the two male youths, he was assaulted with a weapon. The two suspects then left the scene with the stolen longboards.
The male youth sustained non-life-threatening but potentially life-altering injuries. He is still in treatment.
According to Facebook posts from the teen’s family, he was struck in the face with his stolen longboard causing injuries so severe he needs plastic surgery for his facial fractures.
The suspects are described by police as Aboriginal and approximately 15-years-old and 16-years-old. Both were described as being short, standing about 5’3” tall and of average build. One of the suspects was wearing a red hat at the time of the robbery. Police are still looking for the suspects.
The photo of the longboard that was released by police on Thursday shows an arrow-head shaped board with a wood-grain patina. The board has handwritten lettering near the front wheels on top and a distinctive “49” sticker on the wheels near the bottom. The board also has thick yellow wheels.
The other longboard that was stolen is a full-sized board, with dark grey grip tape on top and a circular black and white sticker in the middle. The underside is dark blue, white, grey and aquamarine pattern, with a smaller black circular sticker. This longboard is brand new.
The photo of a longboard that was stolen during the playground robbery on May 1, 2018. (VicPD).
In addition to the suspects and the longboard, police are looking for a man that other witnesses said offered assistance to the victim as he lay on the ground. The man did not remain at the scene to speak to police and investigators said they need to talk to him as he may have information about the suspects. Police are asking that man to contact them.
Anyone else who has information about the robbery, recognize the longboard or know the suspects is asked to call Victoria police at 250-995-7654 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Alexa Huffman
