The thefts occurred at more than a dozen fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and banks; in each case the suspect headed straight for the cash register.
Updated: November 13, 2019
COQUITLAM, B.C.: NOV. 13, 2019 – A 32-year-old man is facing 13 charges following a series of more than a dozen robberies in various municipalities in which a suspect robbed fast-food joints, convenience stores and banks in a similar fashion. HANDOUT / COQUITLAM RCMP / PNG
A man is facing 14 charges and possibly after an investigation into more than a dozen similar robberies in four cities.
Coquitlam RCMP said they noticed similarities in robberies happening in all Coquitlam, Langley, Burnaby and New Westminster.
Between Sept. 22 and Oct. 17, more than a dozen fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and banks reported robberies. In a number of the cases, a man entered the business and went straight for the cash register. In one surveillance image released by police, a man can be seen leaving a convenience store carrying a cash register.
“We quickly realized our files were similar to crimes happening in Langley,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP. “We pooled our resources with Langley RCMP, Burnaby RCMP and New Westminster Police and by Oct. 19 we had identified a suspect and made an arrest.”
Derek John Muirhead, 32 of no fixed address, faces 14 charges, including five counts of robbery in Burnaby, four counts of robbery in Coquitlam, two counts of robbery in New Westminster and two in Langley, and one count of assault with a weapon in Langley.
McLaughlin said more charges are possible as the investigation is continuing.