Police have laid charges in three robberies that occurred in Dartmouth over the last two weeks.

Yesterday at approximately 1:05 p.m., police responded to a report of a robbery in the 0-100 block of Caledonia Road. The suspects fled on foot prior to police arrival. Two youths met a man in the area to purchase electronics that were advertised for sale on an online marketplace. One of the youths presented a knife and the other youth showed the man what was believed to be a firearm. The youths took the electronics and then fled on foot.

Officers located the suspects at a residence on Roleika Drive and contained the area. Three youths were arrested at the scene and one was released without charges a short time later. Officers searched the residence and seized a replica firearm, fake money and stolen property.

Through the investigation, officers determined that one of the youths was also involved in two similar robberies in the same area:

• On April 22 at approximately 2 p.m. two youths met a man to purchase electronics that were advertised for sale on an online marketplace. One of the youths took the electronics and left the area. The other youth showed the man what was believed to be a firearm and then fled on foot.

• On April 20 at approximately 8:05 p.m. a youth met two men to purchase electronics that were advertised for sale on an online marketplace. When the men arrived, the youth initially tried to pay with fake money. When they refused to take the fake money, he showed what was believed to be a firearm, took the electronic equipment and then fled on foot.

A 15-year-old youth is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial youth court today to face the following charges in relation to the three robberies:

• Robbery (x3)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x3)
• Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (x3)
• Carrying a concealed weapon (x3)
• Using a firearm in the commission of an offence (x3)
• Possession of a firearm while prohibited (x3)
• Uttering forged documents (fake money)
• Fail to comply with conditions of a court order (x7)

A second 15-year-old youth is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial youth court at a later date to face the following charges in relation to the April 25 robbery:

• Robbery
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace
• Carrying a concealed weapon

Source: Release