Family robbed by teen with kitchen knife

A family looking for a decent deal on a used cellphone found themselves held at knifepoint after arranging to meet an apparent seller through an online sales app.

The family contacted the accused on Friday, Jul. 27, 2018, and arranged to meet him. They then drove to an apartment building near the corner of Montreal Street and John Counter Boulevard, where the accused lived, according to a press release from Kingston Police. The victims parked their car in the back lot of the apartment building, as requested by the accused.

The accused approached the family’s vehicle just after 5 p.m. and proceeded to sell the cellphone to the family as discussed. Following the transaction, the accused pulled out a large kitchen knife, and held it against the female victim’s chest. The children in the backseat of the car began to scream and cry as a result, according to Kingston Police.

The accused demanded the victims return the cellphone, and then ran back into the apartment building with the cellphone and cash. The family fled in their vehicle and contacted police.

Kingston police responded and contained the building. The accused was quickly identified, and was arrested and charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for committing an offence, two counts of breach of recognizance, and two counts of breach of probation. The accused youth is 15 years old.