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Suspect Sought, Public Warned After Man Robbed At Gunpoint Trying To Purchase Used Video Game Console

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Date Published: 27 Oct 2022, Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022File: 22-41171Victoria, BC – Officers are working to identify and locate a suspect, and are also warning the public, after a man was robbed at gunpoint last night while attempting to purchase a used PlayStation 5 (PS5). While officers were searching for the armed robbery suspect, they located a second potential victim who had also arranged to buy a used PS5 at the same location.Just after 10 p.m. last night, Patrol officers and officers with the Integrated Canine Service (ICS) responded to the 100-block of South Turner Street for a report of an armed robbery in progress. The victim told officers that they had responded to Used Victoria ad selling a used PS5. The victim had met the “seller” at that location and spoken with him for several minutes. Without warning, the “seller” produced a handgun, pointed it at the victim, and demanded the money the victim had brought for the purchase. The victim handed over the money and the suspect fled the area on foot. The victim got themselves to a safe place nearby and called 911.The victim was physically unhurt, but visibly shaken, by the incident.Officers set up containment and searched extensively for the suspect, but were unable to locate him.Concerningly, while officers were searching for the suspect, a second person approached them. This person told officers that they too had arranged to meet someone selling a used PS5 at that location. There are key similarities between these two incidents leading officers to believe they may be related. Officers are advising anyone arranging to meet for a similar circumstance to use caution and take steps like those listed below to protect yourself.The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, standing approximately six feet tall, with a skinny build. During the robbery he was wearing dirty white Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, dark blue camouflage pants, a black jacket with no hood, a dark toque and a dark-coloured COVID mask.While the majority of online-facilitated used goods transactions occur without incident, there are key things that you can do to help protect yourself: 

  • Meet sellers and buyers in brightly lit, public places with people around, that are likely to have surveillance cameras, like a shopping mall, public library or municipal building;

  • Conduct the financial transaction by e-transfer instead of carrying cash;

  • Bring a friend or family member with you;

  • If something does go wrong, get yourself to a safe place, and call 911.

 If you have information about this incident, or surveillance footage from the area, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1.  To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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