Police believe they have the two people responsible for at least two violent robberies where the victims were set up over Facebook Marketplace.
Both suspects are teen boys.
“Investigators collected evidence from both scenes, including CCTV footage, and determined the same two males were involved in both incidents,” police said.
“Investigators identified the suspects and worked to locate them.”
When one victim opened the door to his Ambleton home on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, he thought he was greeting someone who planned to buy his old iPhone.
He found two young males on the other side instead.
During the fake purchase, the pair shoved the victim to the ground and stole the iPhone.
A little more than a month later, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Dover, another victim invited two young males into his home, thinking he was about to sell a laptop.
The victim was bear sprayed and assaulted as the pair tried to steal the device.
The victim battled back, and then was joined by his wife.
“I was being dragged out,” Jason Nguyen told CTV News at the time.
“I was getting hit in the head, punched in the ribs and then also kicked, and I got dragged down to that step down there.”
“I see he’s being dragged outside,” Nguyen’s wife, Nanh Au, said.
“So I just grabbed the shovel and hit the individual that (was) hurting my husband until he let him let go.”
Nguyen and Au were able to fight off their would-be robbers, twice, before they fled empty-handed.
Police Insp. Jason Walker said at the time investigators would look into whether the incident in Dover could be connected to others.
“Do we have people out there doing this on the regular? Regrettably, yes, we do,” he said.
Wednesday, police announced the capture of a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old they believe are responsible for both incidents.
The 17-year-old is charged with:
- robbery (x2); and
- disguise with intent.
The 16-year-old is charged with:
- robbery (x2).
The names of both suspects are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The allegations against them have yet to be proven in court.
With files from Kevin Green
