Editor’s note: In June 2013, the charges against Edward McKay were stayed by the Crown. Travis Nofield pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, according to court records online.
WHILE some people feel a compulsion to pour their hearts out to their cab driver, confessing to crimes apparently falls outside the bounds of cabbie/passenger confidentiality.
Two Lower Mainland men are behind bars after bragging to their taxi driver about a purse snatching they had just committed in North Vancouver on Saturday night.
Police say the men boarded a North Vancouver bus and sat down next to a woman who was riding alone. After a few stops, one of the men snatched the woman's purse and the two bolted.
The alleged thieves then hailed a cab and headed to downtown Vancouver. During the trip, the suspects regaled their driver with tales of their exploits, and showed him the woman's purse and what appeared to be a handgun.
As soon as he dropped off the pair, the cabbie called 9-1-1 to report the incident. However, one of the men had already drawn the attention of Vancouver police and was arrested on Granville Street for breach of probation.
Investigators in Richmond caught up with the second suspect on Monday night. After a search of his home, Richmond RCMP found a replica pistol.
Travis William Nofield, a 19-year-old Langley resident, is facing charges of robbery and possession of stolen property as well as breach of probation.
Richmond resident Edward Gerald McKay, 26, is being held on charges of possession of property obtained by crime, using an imitation firearm during an offence, and possession of an imitation firearm for a dangerous purpose.
"It is gratifying to see a quick resolution to such a brazen robbery," said Cpl. Doug Trousdell, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP.
"Our investigators worked closely with our partners at the Vancouver Police Department and Richmond RCMP."
