2 youths arrested in connection to ‘concerning incident’ in New Westminster park

Moody Park in New Westminster.

Police have arrested two youths after a child was robbed in New Westminster’s Moody Park, marking the second robbery at the popular park in just over a week.

Police began investigating after receiving a report from a parent around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to a release from the New Westminster Police Department.

“Officers learned that the child, who is under the age of 16, was grabbed from behind by two other youths who demanded money,” the NWPD said.

Attending officers located the suspects near the park, one who was known to the victim. Both were arrested for robbery and “later released to their guardians,” police said.

“This is a concerning incident for both the young victim and their family,” said the NWPD’s Hailey Finnigan in the statement.

“We’re grateful the victim had the courage to come forward.”

The robbery comes after a similar incident in the same park just last week. According to police, on the evening of Oct. 17 officers were called to assist two men who had been violently robbed by a group of three young people.